Just four games into his three-year, $42 million contract with the Atlanta Braves,Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games after violating Major League Baseball’s performance-enhancing drug policy. The league announced Monday that the 32-year-old outfielder tested positive for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), the same substance that led to Manny Ramirez’s suspension in 2009.
Profar, who had a breakout season with the San Diego Padres last year, now faces a significant roadblock in his career. His absence will leave a major gap in Atlanta’s lineup as the team struggles to secure its first win of the 2025 season.
Profar’s response and the Braves’ disappointment
In a statement following the suspension, Profar expressed remorse while maintaining that he never knowingly used a banned substance.
I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates, and the fans,” Profar said. “I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.
The Braves organization also released a statement, calling the suspension both “surprising and extremely disappointing.” The team emphasized its commitment to the league’s policies and expressed hope that Profar would learn from this situation.
A costly absence for Atlanta
Profar’s suspension comes at a challenging time for the Braves, who are already off to a slow start this season. Through the team’s first four games, he posted a .200 batting average with a .450 OPS and three strikeouts. Despite his sluggish start, Atlanta had high hopes for him after his strong 2024 campaign, where he hit 24 home runs and recorded 85 RBIs in 158 games.
Without Profar, the Braves will have to quickly adjust their outfield strategy as they prepare for a tough road series against the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. With their star acquisition sidelined for half the season, Atlanta will need to find answers fast to stay competitive in a highly challenging division.
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