Cincinnati Reds demote Noelvi Marte to minors, call up Will Banfield

Struggling Cincinnati Reds outfielder Noelvi Marte was optioned back to Triple-A Louisville after this week’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. Marte, who has been a subpar fielder and .189 hitter this season, was just 4-for-30 (.133) with four singles and 10 strikeouts in 12 games playe

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Struggling Cincinnati Reds outfielder Noelvi Marte was optioned back to Triple-A Louisville after this week’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Marte, who has been a subpar fielder and .189 hitter this season, was just 4-for-30 (.133) with four singles and 10 strikeouts in 12 games played this month.

It’a the second minor-league demotion this season for Marte, who was acquired from Seattle in the Luis Castillo trade in 2022 before making an impressive six-week debut the following summer.

The Reds recalled catcher Will Banfield from Louisville to take Marte’s spot on the active roster.

Banfield, who made a seven-game big-league debut last season, was hitting .262 with 11 home runs in 79 games for Louisville this season.

Noelvi Marte #4 of the Cincinnati Reds takes batting practice before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 01, 2026 in Milwaukee.