The Atlanta Braves are facing a massive setback before the 2026 season even gets underway. Veteran designated hitter Jurickson Profar is reportedly facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs for the second time.
Under Major League Baseball’s drug policy, a second PED offense carries an automatic full-season suspension, meaning Profar could miss the entire 2026 regular season and be ineligible for the postseason as well.
The suspension would also cost the 33-year-old his entire $15 million salary for the season and prevent him from participating in the World Baseball Classic, where he had been expected to represent the Netherlands.
This marks the second PED violation for Profar in just over a year. He previously served an 80-game suspension in 2025 after testing positive for a banned substance, making this latest infraction far more severe under MLB’s escalating penalty system.
The timing is particularly damaging for the Atlanta Braves, who signed Profar to a multi-year deal and expected him to be a key piece of their lineup as a designated hitter. His absence leaves a significant gap in the offense and forces the Braves to reconsider their roster plans heading into the season.
Profar, once considered one of baseball’s top prospects and an All-Star in 2024, has played for several teams throughout his career, including the Rangers, Athletics, Padres, Rockies, and Braves.
The MLB Players Association is expected to challenge the suspension, but unless it is reduced on appeal, Profar could be sidelined for the entire year.
For Atlanta, the situation is both shocking and costly. For Profar, it raises serious questions about the future of a career that once looked destined for stardom but is now overshadowed by repeated violations.
