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Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar is reportedly facing a 162-game suspension from Major League Baseball for a second failed test involving a performance-enhancing drug.
Profar, 33, was suspended 80 games last season in March following a positive test for chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that promotes testosterone production. ESPN was the first to report Profar’s second violation.
Profar then released a statement saying, “I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility for it and accept MLB’s decision.”
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Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (7) finishes third to advance home and score against the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 30, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
Profar intends to ask the MLBPA to file a grievance to appeal any discipline to baseball’s independent arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman, according to the Associated Press. The suspension has not been officially announced, and as this would be Profar’s second offense, an appeal would take place after the suspension was announced.
Profar was an All-Star with the San Diego Padres in 2024 and signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves during the offseason. If the suspension stands, he will have missed nearly three-quarters of his first two seasons with the Braves due to PED suspensions.
In 2024, Profar hit .280 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs, all career highs. When Profar returned to the Braves lineup on July 2, he was not as productive, hitting .245 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs.
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar (17) hits a sacrifice fly to run in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during spring training at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida on February 27, 2026. (Jonathan Dyer/Imagn Images)
If the Braves make the playoffs, Profar will not be eligible to play. Originally from Curacao, Profar was scheduled to play for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, but is also ineligible.
Profar would also lose his entire $15 million salary this season.
He would be the seventh player suspended for 162 games for a second PED offense after New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia (July 2015), Cleveland outfielder Marlon Byrd (June 2016), free agent catcher Cody Stanley (July 2016), Houston pitcher Francis Martes (February 2020), Mets second baseman Robinson Canó (November 2020) and Milwaukee pitcher JC. Mejia (September 2023).
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Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (7) hits an RBI single in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on September 20, 2025. (Rick Osentoski/Imagn Images)
Mejia was banned for life in February 2016 after a third positive test, the only player to receive a permanent ban since drug testing with penalties began in 2004.
The loss of Profar leaves a hole in the Braves’ lineup, as he was expected to be the primary designated hitter.
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