Braves' Jurickson Profar Suspended 80 Games by MLB After Positive PED Test

Major League Baseball announced Monday it suspended Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar for 80 games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy.

According to the announcement, he tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG).

MLB insider Mike Rodriguez and ESPN's Jeff Passan first reported that Profar was suspended.

The Braves released a statement that said, "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. We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience." 

Profar also released a statement that called Monday "the most difficult day of my career" while also apologizing to his team, teammates and fans:

While the timing of the suspension means Profar will be able to return at some point during the 2025 season, he will not be able to help the Braves in the playoffs should they qualify.

That is because the league's rulebook states "all players who have served a suspension for PEDs in a given season are ineligible for postseason play that year."

This is surely not what the Braves envisioned when they signed Profar to a three-year, $42 million contract this offseason after he previously played for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post highlighted the financial ramifications of the suspension:

He landed that contract after he was a first-time All-Star in 2024 with San Diego while slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs and 85 RBI. His presence in the lineup helped lead the Padres to the playoffs and a 93-69 record.

Profar made his major league debut in 2012, but his 2024 campaign was an outlier given his previous production. It was the first time he surpassed the 20-home run mark, and he also set a career high with a 3.6 wins above replacement total.

The 2022 season is the only other time he finished with a WAR above 1.5, per Baseball Reference.

Profar was off to a slow start this season with a .200/.250/.200 slash line, zero home runs and zero RBI through the first four games, but he was still expected to be a key part of Atlanta's lineup.

Instead, the National League East club will need to adjust to playing without him for 80 games. Perhaps that was a contributing factor to Monday's announcement from the Cincinnati Reds revealing they traded outfielder Stuart Fairchild to the Braves for cash considerations.

Atlanta starts a three-game series on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.