Cincinnati Reds' Third Baseman Feels Healthy But Still Will Miss First Several Spring Training Games

After straining his hamstring during winter ball, Cincinnati Reds' top prospect and projected third baseman Noelvi Marte will miss the first five games of the Cactus League season.

Though he says he's healthy and feels good, Cincinnati Reds' projected third baseman Noelvi Marte will miss the first five games of spring training as he recovers from a hamstring strain he suffered in winter ball.

Per Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer:

“It’s ready,” said the rookie, who expects to start workouts on time when the first full-squad practices start Monday.

But he’s also on a more deliberate, monitored schedule that he said is expected to delay his debut in games this spring until after the first five games of the Cactus League schedule.

Marte suffered the hamstring issue at the very end of November, marking the second time in a year's time that he dealt with hamstring issues.

Marte made his major league debut in 2023 and played in 35 games for the Reds. He hit .316 with three homers, 15 RBI and six stolen bases. An impact bat, he figures to pair with Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain to make up the nucleus of the team's long-term infield. In addition, the Reds still have Jonathan India and Jeimer Candelario in the infield, giving them depth and one of the best young cores in all of baseball.

It's because of that depth that the Reds will be a trendy pick to get to the playoffs for the first time since the COVID 2020 season. They went 82-80 last year and finished third in the National League Central.

Because he hasn't played enough games yet to graduate off the list, Marte is still the Reds' top overall prospect as well.

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