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Reds Get Return Of Key Lineup Piece In Middle of Wild-Card Chase

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 1:41 PM ET

Noelvi Marte spent five years as a top-100 prospect in baseball. In 2025, the infielder was on the verge of breaking out before an oblique injury sent him to the injured list in early May.

Almost two months later, he's finally back, just in time for the Cincinnati Reds' to make a run in the wild-card chase. The Reds activated the third baseman - and pitcher Graham Ashcraft - on Friday.

Cincinnati manager Terry Francona immediately put Marte back into the lineup in the July 4 afternoon game against the Philadelphia Phillies, incidentally the first team Francona managed at the major-league level.

Marte slashed .294/.342/.515 with three home runs 17 RBIs in 19 games before the injury. He had begun to take over as the Reds' everyday third baseman, over then-starter Jeimer Candelario, who has since been released, when he went on the IL.

Marte ranked as the No. 92, No. 73, No. 18, No. 63 and No. 23-ranked prospect each year by Baseball America from 2020 to 2024. From 2020-2022, Marte played in the Seattle Mariners organization. He was traded to the Reds with Edwin Arroyo, Andrew Moore and Levi Stoudt for right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo at the trade deadline in 2022.

The Reds entered Friday's games at 45-42, seven games behind National League Central leader Chicago Cubs, but just 1 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres for the final wild-card spot.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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