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T<\/span>he Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> are confronting a significant setback after designated hitter Jurickson Profar<\/strong><\/a> tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the past year, triggering a 162-game suspension, sources told ESPN<\/strong> on Tuesday. At 33, Profar<\/strong> becomes the sixth player to receive a full-season ban since Major League Baseball<\/strong> increased penalties for second-time offenders to 162 games in 2014. <\/p>\n The punishment carries severe financial and competitive consequences, something of which Profar<\/strong>is already acutely aware.<\/p>\n 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Profar<\/strong> had been set to represent the Netherlands alongside players from his native Curaao, but now he will be barred from participating.<\/p>\n Shohei Ohtani bows in a different uniform and reminds everyone why he’s beloved worldwide<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n The suspension compounds what has already been a turbulent period for the Braves<\/strong>. The club is attempting to rebound from a 76-86 campaign while managing injuries to starting pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach<\/strong> and Hurston Waldrep<\/strong>, both sidelined with elbow issues. <\/p>\n The 2025 season began ominously when Profar<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Following that initial ban, Profar<\/strong> stated that “it is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it.” <\/p>\n At the time, the Braves<\/strong> said they were “surprised and extremely disappointed” but added that they “fully support the program and are hopeful Jurickson will learn from this experience.”<\/p>\n 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<\/strong> last January – fresh off a career year with the San Diego Padres<\/strong> – Profar<\/strong> initially struggled with interruption. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Following offseason sports hernia surgery, Profar<\/strong> was projected to transition into a full-time designated hitter role and potentially bat second behind former National League MVP Ronald Acuna Jr.<\/strong><\/p>\n His absence now forces the Braves<\/strong> to reconfigure their offensive structure, even though the club retains depth. <\/p>\n The anticipated return of catcher Sean Murphy<\/strong> could allow reigning Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin<\/strong> to assume more at-bats in a hitting-only capacity. <\/p>\n Nevertheless, increased pressure will fall on core contributors including first baseman Matt Olson<\/strong>, third baseman Austin Riley<\/strong>, second baseman Ozzie Albies<\/strong>, center fielder Michael Harris II<\/strong>, and free-agent addition Mike Yastrzemski<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Once the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Profar<\/strong> debuted at 19 with Texas but endured injury-plagued early seasons. <\/p>\n After stints with Oakland, San Diego Padres<\/strong>, 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).<\/p>\n PED suspensions have declined league-wide in recent years. Only two players were suspended last year – Profar<\/strong> and Jose Alvarado<\/strong> of Philadelphia – and five in the past three seasons. <\/p>\n Free-agent outfielder Max Kepler<\/strong> 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<\/strong> of Milwaukee in September 2023. <\/p>\n Others who have served full-season bans include Robinson Cano<\/strong>, Francis Martes<\/strong>, Marlon Byrd<\/strong>, and Jenrry Mejia<\/strong>, the latter later becoming the only player permanently banned for a third PED violation.<\/p>\n With one year and $15 million remaining on his contract after this season, Profar<\/strong> now faces an uncertain professional future, and the Braves<\/strong> must regroup without a player they had counted on as a central offensive piece.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nLineup ripple effects in Atlanta<\/h2>\n
Rising number of drug bans in MLB<\/h2>\n