Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball for violating the league’s performance enhancing drugs policy.
Per an MLB release, Profar tested positive for chorionic gonadotropin, a performance-enhancing drug hormone that helps in the production of testosterone. The veteran outfielder will be eligible to return to the Braves lineup on June 29th, but will be ineligible to take part in the postseason should Atlanta make the playoffs.
“I spoke to the guys and I spoke to Jurickson this afternoon also,” manager Brian Snitker said. “We hate it for him, our club and our team. But Major League Baseball has their program and we honor that. It’s just going to afford an opportunity for somebody else for 80 days.”
The 32 year old is fresh off signing a 3 year, $42M contract with the Braves in the offseason, but will now miss the first half of the 2025 MLB campaign with his new team. Profar had a career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024, hitting .280 with 85 RBIs, 24 home runs, 94 runs, and 10 stolen bases across 158 games.
Those RBI, runs, home runs, games played, and stolen bases totals all represented career highs for the 5’11” switch hitter.
“We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program,” Atlanta said in a prepared statement. “We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience.”
With Profar now sidelined for the next few months, and former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr still recovering from his left knee injury, Atlanta’s outfield depth is suddenly looking precariously shallow. Acuna has yet to begin any kind of cutting drills in the outfield, and figures to still be a month and change away from rejoining the lineup.
Stuart Fairchild, who was acquired from the Reds for cash on Monday morning, will likely now be thrust into a prominent role alongside Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz and Michael Harris II to serve as the Braves outfielders for the time being. Alex Verdugo is still at least a few weeks from being game ready after signing with the Braves late in spring training.
For his part, Profar released the following statement after news of his suspension became public:
“Braves fans,
Today is the most difficult day of my baseball career, I am devastated to announce that I have been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball and the Commissioner’s Office, for testing positive for a banned substance this offseason. This is especially painful for me because anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game. There is nothing I love more than competing with my teammates and being a fan favourite.
I want to apologize to the entire Braces organization, my teammates, and the fans. It is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it. I have been tested my entire career, including eight times last season alone, and have never tested positive. I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.
I am devastated that I won’t be on the field with my teammates for the next 80 games. I look forward to competing again at the highest level this season upon my return.”
With a shallow outfield, no Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez hitting the IL this week with a shoulder injury, and now no leadoff hitter for the next 80 games, Atlanta finds themselves in a deep hole to begin their quest to return to the World Series. Their 0-5 start hasn’t helped things either, and things don’t get any easier for them as they next have a 10:10pm ET date with the undefeated Los Angeles Dodgers Tuesday night.
Photo: Ryan Casey Aguinaldo. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.