Braves outfielder/designated hitter Jurickson Profar is at risk of being suspended for 162 regular-season games after testing positive a second time for a performance-enhancing drug, according to a report Tuesday from ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Profar was suspended last year for 80 games of the season after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin. In the 80 games he played, Profar hit .245 and slugged .353 with 14 home runs.
Profar has been expected to be the team’s primary designated hitter this season. The anticipated suspension leaves new manager Walt Weiss with a significant hole in the lineup.
According to the ESPN report, the 33-year-old Profar will forfeit his $15 million salary for the season and will be ineligible for the postseason.
The Curaçao native also is ineligible to play for the Netherlands in the coming World Baseball Classic.
The Braves had an off-day scheduled for Tuesday, but will be back at the team’s complex Wednesday for a game against the Colombia national team.
At the start of spring training, Profar revealed that he had surgery to repair a sports hernia in November. The procedure required six weeks of rest.
Profar said he suffered the injury during the season but delayed surgery because, “I missed a lot of time, so I wanted to play through it and just play with my teammates. I felt like I couldn’t let them down.”
Weiss lauded Profar for being willing to take on the DH role after he had been a field player for nearly the entirety of his career, making reference to his response to his suspension.
“Profar’s a great teammate. He’s showed himself to be a leader on this team last year. Had some tough circumstances early on, came back an absolute pro and leader of this team. It shows that in the fact that he’s willing to (DH).”
The hCG drug primarily is used by women as a fertility medication. Male athletes can use it to stimulate testosterone production.
After the positive test was revealed last year, Profar released a statement saying that he did not take the drug knowingly, citing “my deep love and respect for this game.”
The Braves issued their own statement at the time, saying that they were “surprised and extremely disappointed” to learn of the failed test and that “we are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience.”
When he returned to the team after the suspension, he maintained his stance.
“I didn’t take anything on purpose, but, again, like I said in my statement, I’m responsible for what goes in my body,” he said July 2.
How the Braves proceed with Profar, who remains under contract for 2027, or the roster is uncertain. Having Profar’s $15 million salary back will give the club flexibility to pursue another DH or outfielder option in free agency or through a trade.
The players union plans to challenge MLB’s intention to suspend Profar, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
The Braves signed Profar to a three-year, $42 million contract in January 2025 to provide help in the outfield. Profar had just performed at career-best levels for the San Diego Padres in his lone All-Star season, reaching career season highs in a number of offensive categories, including home runs (24), RBI (85), batting average (.280) and OPS (.839).
This is a developing story; please check back for updates.
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