Phillies

Braves Appear to be Having Another One of Those Seasons as Jurickson Profar Faces 162-Game Suspension

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Mar 3rd, 2026 · 12:44 PM EST

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Jeff Passan reporting at ESPN:

Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary and will be ineligible for the postseason. Profar also will be ineligible for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, where he was set to represent the Netherlands, whose team includes players from his native Curacao.

Profar was suspended 80 games last year for the same thing. That was coming off an All-Star season in San Diego when he played 158 games and logged a career-high .839 OPS while knocking in a career-high 85 runs and hitting a career-high 24 homers. He signed with Atlanta on a three-year deal worth $42 million.

The Braves already have Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep on the shelf with injury, so it feels like they’re going through Groundhog Day here. They won 76 games last year while wracked with injury and now they have players dropping once again before the season even begins.

(EDIT – looks like the MLBPA is gonna challenge) –

The Players Association plans to challenge MLB’s intention to suspend Jurickson Profar for 162 games, source tells @TheAthletic

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 3, 2026

Hammer the Phillies OVER 89.5 wins.

Considering the context and circumstances – with the slim chance based on precedent that a 162-game suspension isn't forthcoming – I can confident say that Jurickson Profar is the worst free-agent signing in #Braves history.

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) March 3, 2026