Trending Now - Braves Outfielder Jurickson Profar Hit With 162-game Ban

WHO:

Jurickson Profar, Atlanta Braves outfielder and designated hitter

Major League Baseball (MLB)

Atlanta Braves organization

Players Association (MLBPA)

Walt Weiss, Braves manager

Dan Lozano, Profar's agent

Mike Yastrzemski, Braves left fielder

Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves outfielder

Drake Baldwin, 2025 NL Rookie of the Year

Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep, Braves pitchers

WHAT:

Profar is facing a 162-game suspension for a second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug (PED).

The suspension is effective on March 6, 2026.

Profar will forfeit his entire $15 million salary for the 2026 season.

He is ineligible for the postseason and the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Profar was previously suspended for 80 games on March 31, 2025, for testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG).

The Braves issued a statement expressing disappointment but support for MLB's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The MLBPA plans to file a grievance to appeal the suspension.

WHERE:

Atlanta, Georgia (Braves' home)

North Port, Florida (spring training location)

WHEN:

Profar's first suspension was announced on March 31, 2025.

The second suspension is effective on March 6, 2026.

Profar returned from his first suspension on July 2, 2025.

The Braves signed Profar to a three-year, $42 million contract in January 2025.

WHY:

Profar tested positive for Exogenous Testosterone and its metabolites, a violation of MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The suspension is a result of being a second-time offender under MLB's rules.

HOW:

The MLBPA will challenge the suspension through an appeal process to an independent arbitrator, Martin F. Scheinman.

The Braves will not pay Profar's salary during the suspension, which also avoids a 20% luxury tax on his salary.

QUOTES:

Profar stated during his first suspension: "I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision."

Walt Weiss commented on the situation: "The moral of the story is something good is likely to come from the bad news... Someone's gonna step up, someone's gonna get an opportunity."

The Braves' official statement expressed: "We were incredibly disappointed to learn that Jurickson tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and is in violation of MLB’s Drug Prevention and Treatment Program."

Jurickson Profar, the Atlanta Braves outfielder and designated hitter, is facing a 162-game suspension effective March 6, 2026, after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time. This suspension means he will forfeit his entire $15 million salary for the season and will be ineligible for both the postseason and the upcoming World Baseball Classic, while the Braves expressed disappointment but support for MLB's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The MLB Players Association plans to appeal the suspension through an independent arbitrator, as Profar's previous suspension was announced on March 31, 2025, for a different violation.