The Atlanta Braves are confronting a significant setback after designated hitter Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the past year, triggering a 162-game suspension, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. At 33, Profar becomes the sixth player to receive a full-season ban since Major League Baseball increased penalties for second-time offenders to 162 games in 2014.
The punishment carries severe financial and competitive consequences, something of which Profaris already acutely aware.
He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary for the season, become ineligible for the postseason, and be barred from participating in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Profar had been set to represent the Netherlands alongside players from his native Curaçao, but now he will be barred from participating.
The suspension compounds what has already been a turbulent period for the Braves. The club is attempting to rebound from a 76-86 campaign while managing injuries to starting pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, both sidelined with elbow issues.
The 2025 season began ominously when Profar received an 80-game suspension on March 31, 2025 for testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone typically produced during pregnancy that can stimulate testosterone production.
Following that initial ban, Profar stated that “it is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it.”
At the time, the Braves said they were “surprised and extremely disappointed” but added that they “fully support the program and are hopeful Jurickson will learn from this experience.”
Instead, the second violation now overshadows what had been a revitalized chapter in his career. After signing a three-year, $42 million contract with Atlanta last January – fresh off a career year with the San Diego Padres – Profar initially struggled with interruption.
Upon returning in early July from the 80-game ban, he hit .245/.353/.434 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs while primarily playing left field.
Lineup ripple effects in Atlanta
Following offseason sports hernia surgery, Profar was projected to transition into a full-time designated hitter role and potentially bat second behind former National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr.
His absence now forces the Braves to reconfigure their offensive structure, even though the club retains depth.
The anticipated return of catcher Sean Murphy could allow reigning Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin to assume more at-bats in a hitting-only capacity.
Nevertheless, increased pressure will fall on core contributors including first baseman Matt Olson, third baseman Austin Riley, second baseman Ozzie Albies, center fielder Michael Harris II, and free-agent addition Mike Yastrzemski.
Once the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Profar debuted at 19 with Texas but endured injury-plagued early seasons.
After stints with Oakland, San Diego Padres, and Colorado, he rediscovered form upon returning to San Diego in 2024, batting .280/.380/.459 with career highs in home runs (24) and RBIs (85).
Rising number of drug bans in MLB
PED suspensions have declined league-wide in recent years. Only two players were suspended last year – Profar and Jose Alvarado of Philadelphia – and five in the past three seasons.
Free-agent outfielder Max Kepler received an 80-game suspension in January for a first offense. The most recent 162-game suspension prior to this was issued to J.C. Mejia of Milwaukee in September 2023.
Others who have served full-season bans include Robinson Cano, Francis Martes, Marlon Byrd, and Jenrry Mejia, the latter later becoming the only player permanently banned for a third PED violation.
With one year and $15 million remaining on his contract after this season, Profar now faces an uncertain professional future, and the Braves must regroup without a player they had counted on as a central offensive piece.
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