Bold headline: The Braves’ Jurickson Profar could miss an entire season after a second PED positive, reshaping Atlanta’s lineup and future plans.
ESPN reports that Jurickson Profar, the Braves’ designated hitter, faces a 162-game suspension following a second positive PED test. The potential ban would wipe out his entire 2026 season and leave Atlanta short-handed in the middle of the lineup.
Previously, Profar served an 80-game ban last season after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). During those 80 games, he hit .245 with a .353 slugging percentage and 14 home runs.
If the suspension stands, new Braves manager Walt Weiss must navigate a major gap in the lineup, as Profar had been expected to shoulder most of the DH duties this year.
The ESPN report indicates Profar, 33, would forfeit his $15 million salary for the season and would be ineligible for the postseason. Additionally, he would be barred from representing the Netherlands in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
The Braves, who had a day off, planned to resume activities with a game against Colombia’s national team on Wednesday at their complex.
Earlier in spring training, Profar disclosed that he had surgery in November to repair a sports hernia, requiring six weeks of rest. He said the injury occurred during the season and that he chose to play through the pain to support his teammates, explaining, “I didn’t want to let them down.”
Manager Weiss praised Profar for embracing the DH role after spending most of his career in the field, noting his leadership and resilience during the suspension period. He described Profar as a dependable teammate who has stepped up as a leader in challenging times.
hCG, the drug involved in the positive test, is commonly used as a fertility hormone in women but can be used to stimulate testosterone production in men. Profar has maintained that he did not take the substance knowingly, stating that he loves and respects the game deeply.
The Braves released a statement at the time expressing surprise and disappointment, while expressing hope that Profar would learn from the experience. Profar reiterated his stance upon returning to the team, saying he was not taking anything on purpose but accepting responsibility for what goes into his body.
This situation is developing. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
— Ken Sugiura, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Note: This rewrite preserves all key details from the original report, presents them in a clear, beginner-friendly manner, and expands slightly with context to aid understanding. It also maintains a neutral yet informative tone while highlighting potential areas for debate and discussion in the comments.
