The Cincinnati Reds have made an early-season roster move, optioning Noelvi Marte to Triple-A Louisville following his struggles at the plate, with Rece Hinds expected to take his spot on the active roster.
Marte entered the season projected as the team’s starting right fielder with hopes of building on last year’s progress. However, he failed to find his rhythm offensively, hitting just .138 through 11 games without recording an extra-base hit or RBI while striking out 10 times.
Manager Terry Francona noted that Marte has been pressing at the plate, often swinging too aggressively rather than letting the game come to him—an approach that has contributed to his slow start.
The 24-year-old has had a challenging path over the past couple of seasons, including defensive struggles, a suspension in 2024, and a mid-2025 transition from third base to right field. While he showed flashes of improvement and athleticism in his new role, consistency has remained an issue.
Meanwhile, Hinds is set to get another opportunity in the majors after an impressive run in both spring training and Triple-A. He carried strong momentum into the season with Louisville, posting eye-catching numbers that made a strong case for his return.
Hinds previously made headlines with a power surge during his MLB debut, though he struggled to maintain that production in later appearances. Now, with his bat heating up again, the Reds are giving him another chance to contribute at the big-league level.
