The Cincinnati Reds’ third baseman, Noelvi Marte, has been handed an 80-game suspension without pay by Major League Baseball after testing positive for Boldenone, a substance known for enhancing performance. This announcement was made on Friday.

At the age of 22, Marte made his debut for Cincinnati last season, boasting a batting average of .316 along with three home runs in 35 games. He was anticipated to play a significant role in the team’s performance this year, especially given the organization’s aspirations of clinching the National League Central title with its young yet talented roster of position players. However, with this suspension, the Reds will be deprived of Marte’s potential contributions for half the season.

In response to the situation, the team released a statement affirming their full support for Major League Baseball’s drug policy and the associated penalties, adding that they would refrain from making further comments.

Marte was acquired by the Reds in 2022 as part of the trade that saw pitcher Luis Castillo move to the Seattle Mariners. He currently holds the 35th position in ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel’s top 100 prospects list for the upcoming season.

Although Marte’s absence poses a setback, the Reds do have alternative options at third base, including veteran Jeimer Candelario, who recently signed a long-term contract with the team during the past winter.