The Atlanta Braves are yet again without designated hitter Jurickson Profar. Profar received a 162 game suspension after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug, for the second time in the past year. He now forfeits his entire $15 million salary, and is ineligible for any postseason or World Baseball Classic play. This ends up being a brutal blow for an Atlanta Braves team trying to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Profar becomes just the 6th player all time to receive a full 162 game suspension for being caught twice. If he is caught a third time he will be effectively banned from baseball for life, joining Jennry Mejia as the only one to test positive three times.
Profar served his 80 game suspension last year after only playing 4 games with Atlanta. After his return in mid July Profar hit .245 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs. After Profar serves his suspension this season, he will have one year and $15 million remaining on his contract. According to multiple reports Profar intends to file a grievance with the MLB players union to appeal any discipline. Profar tested positive for “exogenous testosterone and its metabolites”.
