Cincinnati Reds top prospect Noelvi Marté suspended 80 games by MLB for positive drug test
Noelvi Marté, a 22-year-old infielder who is the Cincinnati Reds’ top prospect, has been suspended for the first 80 games of the season following a positive test under Major League Baseball’s drug program
NEW YORK (AP) — Noelvi Marté, a 22-year-old infielder who is the Cincinnati Reds' top prospect, was suspended for the first 80 games of the season on Friday following a positive test under Major League Baseball's drug program.
Marté tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone, triggering the first suspension under the big league program since Milwaukee right-hander J.C. Mejía was banned for 162 games on Sept. 20 for a positive test for Stanozolol. Mejía's suspension was his second under the program.
Marté was expected to be the Reds' starting third baseman this season, joining Cincinnati's core of young players that includes Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
The suspension is without pay. Marté's salary this season was likely to be just above the $740,000 minimum.
