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Braves DH Jurickson Profar facing 162-game suspension for PED violation

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones14 hours agobrianjones_93

Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in a year, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Profar will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary and will be ineligible for the postseason. He will also not be eligible for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, where he was set to play for the Netherlands.

At the start of the 2025 season, Major League Baseball hit Profar with an 80-game suspension for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone made during pregnancy that can encourage testosterone production. After that suspension, Profar issued a statement.

“I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates, and the fans. It is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it,” he said at the time, per MLB.com. “I have been tested my entire career, including eight times last season alone, and have never tested positive. I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”

More on Jurickson Profar and his time with the Braves

The Braves signed Profar to a three-year, $42 million contract last January after having an All-Star season with the San Diego Padres. When he returned to the Braves in July, he recorded a .245 batting average with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs while playing left field. This season, Profar was slated to be the team’s designated hitter, replacing Marcell Ozuna, who signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates during the offseason.

The loss of Profar is a huge blow for the Braves, who are already down a few key players. Shortstop Ha-seong Kim will miss the first part of the season after undergoing hand surgery in January. The Braves will start the season without two starting pitchers, as Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep suffered elbow injuries.

Atlanta recorded a 76-86 season in 2025, the team’s first losing season since 2017. From 2018 to 2024, the Braves won six NL East titles and won the World Series in 2021.