According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Atlanta Braves outfielder/DH is facing a 162-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug (PED). Profar missed 80 games for the Braves last season and signed a three-year, $42 million deal with Atlanta after his breakout 2024 season with the San Diego Padres. He violated MLB’s joint drug policy, according to Ken Rosenthal.
This is huge news for the Atlanta Braves, who will be without what’s considered an everyday player for the entire 2026 season.
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Jurickson Profar Facing 162-Game Suspension
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Here is a piece of the Passan article that indicates the magnitude of the suspension:
“Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary and will be ineligible for the postseason. Profar also will be ineligible for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, where he was set to represent the Netherlands, whose team includes players from his native Curacao.”
Profar hit 14 home runs in 80 games with the Braves last season. He hit .245 with an OPS+ of 121. Profar was a journeyman for a while in his career before landing with the Padres, where he hit 24 home runs (career-high) in 158 games. That earned him his $42 million extension, but his success was clearly aided by a prohibited drug.
He was an All-Star with San Diego, but the PED suspensions will now overshadow his career.
This is yet another contributor for the Braves that will miss extended time. Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep will start the season on the 60-Day injured list with elbow injuries, and Ha-Seong Kim will be sidelined with a hand injury. The Braves can not catch a break.
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The Braves Can Not Catch a Break
The Atlanta Braves have not caught a break in the past few seasons. So many injuries, this Profar incident with a second suspension in as many years.
This is a massive blow that will have drastic season implications. The idea is that Mike Yastrzemski will still be an everyday outfielder, but the Braves now need a DH.
Marcell Ozuna walked out the door in MLB free agency just last month.
Sean Murphy is a fit to slot in as DH, but he’s still dealing with a hip injury and is still rehabbing.
The Braves might need to make a trade soon for another impact bat. And that’s not to mention the Braves’ lack of depth being tested before the 2026 season has even begun.
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BREAKING: Jurickson Profar Facing 162-Game Suspension for PED Use