The MLB commissioner’s office announced today that Reds infielder Noelvi Marte has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a banned performance enhancing substance. 

According to the USADA boldenone is an anabolic androgenic steroid and synthetic derivative of testosterone that was originally developed for veterinary use but has since become one of the more common performance-enhancing drugs that athletes test positive for in sport.

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With a chemical structure that’s nearly identical to testosterone, boldenone can stimulate protein synthesis and the release of erythropoietin in the kidneys. Athletes sometimes use boldenone, which may be sold on the black market, to increase muscle mass and strength. Along with being prohibited in sport, athletes should be aware of the many health and safety issues surrounding boldenone.

Marte, 22 came to the Reds in the Luis Castillo trade with the Seattle Mariners. He slashed .279/.358/.454 in the minors last year, and .316/.366/.456 in 123 major league plate appearances. He did this while playing both shortstop and third base.

As a lifelong Reds fan, I am disappointed when a player who was expected to make a positive impact on this year’s club, then turns around and does just the opposite. But, thankfully for Cincinnati they have an abundance of infield talent that can shoulder the load. They have Matt McLain who can play on either side of the second base bag, Elly De La Cruz who can play either position on the left side of the infield as well as Christian Encarnacion-Strand who can play both corner infield spots. Not to mention Jonathan India who can play all the infield positions except pitcher and catcher. The Reds also have Spencer Steer who can also play either corner spot or second base in a pinch, but has been told he will be the regular left fielder. Plus in a questionable move in the off-season that now looks like great infield insurance the Reds inked free agent Jeimer Candelario to a three year $42MM contract with an $18MM forth year option on a $3MM buyout according to Baseball Reference. He was brought in as a stabilizing veteran and can also play either first or third base.

Personally, this is really going to hurt Marte. I want to say good, but I will reserve judgement until I hear something from either the Reds or Noelvi himself. This suspension will push back his free agency and perhaps his qualification for arbitration as players do not accrue service time while on the restricted list.

Currently Marte has accrued 44 days of MLB service time, but if he does not appeal the suspension and it is upheld, it will prevent him from accruing a year by the end of 2024 and thus push back his arbitration status. This will affect the amount of money he will receive through the arbitration process as well as how soon he could receive said money.

-Ballentine

Photo credit; Yardbarker, MLB.com

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