Noelvi Marte, one of the top prospects in all of baseball, won’t be in the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup on Opening Day as anticipated.
MLB announced Friday that Marte was suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension will begin on Opening Day, meaning Marte can’t play until late June at the earliest.
“The Reds fully support Major League Baseball’s drug policy and its penalties,” the team said in a statement. “We will have no further comment.”
Marte, 22, debuted last season and batted .284/.351/.449 with eight home runs and 13 doubles in 35 games. He was set to be the Reds’ starting third baseman this season.
The Reds open up the 2024 MLB season on March 28 against the Washington Nationals.
