On March 19, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar’s appeal of positive PED test was resolved, resulting in a 162-game suspension for testing positive the second time in the last year.
The league announced that Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites.
The left-fielder asked the the MLB Players’ Union to file a grievance to baseball’s independent arbitrator with hopes of reducing his penalty.
ESPN reports that Profar will forfeit his entire $15 million salary for 2026 and will ineligible for postseason play.
This marks his second straight season of testing positive of performance-enhancing drugs.
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How Does Jurickson Profar’s 162-Game Suspension Affect the Atlanta Braves in 2026?
The Atlanta Braves issued a statement following Jurickson Profar’s initial suspension:
“We were incredibly disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and is in violation of MLB’s Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” the team said. “Our players are consistently educated about the Program and the consequences if they are found to be in violation. The Atlanta Braves fully support the Program.”
Jurickson Profar signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves on January 23, 2025.
Three months later on March 31, Profar received an 80-game suspension after resting positive for chronic gonadotropin.
Profar was only able to participate in the team’s first four-games of 2025 before the suspension.
Following his return, Profar batted .245 with a .787 OPS, tallying 14 home runs and 43 RBIs.
Profar will only have played in 80 games with the Braves after his suspension is up during Spring Training of 2027, leaving him in an uncomfortable spot regarding his future with the team.
His first suspension derailed what was already a rough start to the Braves 2025 season. They were swept in a four-game series against the San Diego Padres.
Braves manager, Walt Weiss remains optimistic in the wake of Profar’s suspension.
“The moral of the story is something good is likely to come from the bad news,” Weiss said. “It just tends to happen that way. Someone’s going to step up, someone’s going to get an opportunity.”
Luckily for the Braves, they picked up free agent outfielder Mike Yastrzemski in the offseason. This became a more important signing than the Braves could have imagined.
But even with the signing of Yastrzemski, the Braves are on the clock to make adjustments and fill a roster spot that has just opened up.
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Jurickson Profar’s Future in the MLB Remains Uncertain Following Second Positive PED Test
Jurickson Profar is one of six players to receive a 162-game ban for PEDs since the MLB increased the penalty for two-time offenders in 2014.
Despite Profar’s attempt for appeal through the MLBPA, the league managed to uphold the penalty, continuing to push the narrative that PED use will not be tolerated.
Profar was entering his 13th season at 33 years old prior to his suspension, leaving his future in the MLB with a big question mark.
Braves’ Jurickson Profar Gets Disappointing News in PED Case