Former Cincinnati Reds teammate Joey Votto 'saddened' by Noelvi Marte’s PED suspension
DUNEDIN, Florida — If Noelvi Marte does the time for doing the crime, then “it’ll be done.”
That’s how former Cincinnati Reds teammate Joey Votto sees the long-term ramifications of rookie Marte’s 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug under MLB’s enforcement policy.
In the meantime, the Reds’ longtime star — who worked a lot with Marte over the past year or so — expressed concern for the time Marte will miss when it might matter most for his career.
“I was really close with him,” Votto said. “The only thing that stands out to me is he’s a young player that during, and during that window of time (in his career) it’s imperative that they get games, at-bats, plate appearances, time, defense, base running, reps, reps, reps.
“And to miss half a season, a major league season, at the beginning of your career, I’m saddened for his development, for his growth as a major league player, that he’s going to miss that opportunity.”
As for the responsibility and accountability for Marte’s own actions and the circumstances surrounding the positive test, “that’s an exchange between major-league baseball and the player,” Votto said.
The news of Votto’s signing with his hometown Toronto Blue Jays after four months of free agency and of Marte’s suspension for PEDs broke about an hour apart on Friday, arguably the two biggest Reds-related news stories of the spring.
Votto was asked about the Marte news on Saturday, the day he took his physical with the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida.
Marte was among the top three or four National League Rookie of the Year favorites before the suspension. In addition to missing the first 80 games, he will be ineligible for postseason play if the Reds qualify.
More: How Noelvi Marte's suspension will impact the Reds' lineup
Less certain is the lingering impact on his reputation.
“When someone serves a suspension in my eyes, they’ve served their time; it’s done,” Votto said. “And he’s about to serve his time, and it’ll be done.
“In my eyes, you’ve paid your debt and then move on,” he added. “I’m just saddened that he’s missing reps. That’s the only thing that stands out to me.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joey Votto weighs in on Cincinnati Reds' Noelvi Marte’s PED suspension
