Braves’ Jurickson Profar Suspended 80 Games for PED Use, Calls It ‘Most Difficult Day’ of His Career

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been handed an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug, Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), Major League Baseball (MLB) announced Monday. The hormone, known to aid in testosterone production, violates the league’s drug prevention and treatment program.

The suspension is effective immediately, making Profar ineligible to return until June 29 against the Philadelphia Phillies—barring any postponements. Additionally, he will forfeit $5.8 million of his $12 million salary and will be barred from postseason play.

This marks the second PED-related suspension for the Braves, following pitcher Andrew McKirahan’s 80-game ban in 2015.

In a heartfelt statement, Profar described this as the most difficult day of his baseball career, expressing disbelief over the test result:

“Anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game. There is nothing I love more than competing with my teammates and being a fan favorite. I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates, and the fans.”

Profar also emphasized that he has never knowingly taken a banned substance:

“I have been tested my entire career, including eight times last season alone, and have never tested positive. I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”

Braves’ Response and Team Outlook

Braves manager Brian Snitker addressed the situation but declined to share details of his conversation with Profar:

“He hated it, and we hate it for him.”

Despite the setback, Snitker sees this as an opportunity for another player to step up:

“It’s an opportunity for somebody else to step in and do something really good.”

The Braves have faced significant adversity in recent years, including the devastating loss of four-time All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr. to an ACL tear last May. However, Snitker remains confident in his team’s resilience:

“They’ve been tasked with handling a lot of things over the last few years, and they’re a really good group about doing it. They’re going to keep fighting and working.”

At 32 years old, Profar is coming off a career-best season with the San Diego Padres, where he hit .280 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs, earning an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award. He signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves in the offseason.

In response to Profar’s absence, the Braves traded for outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash. Fairchild, 29, hit .215 with eight homers and 30 RBIs last season.

Profar is now the fourth player suspended under MLB’s performance-enhancing substance policy this year, following suspensions under both the minor league and international programs.

Last year, two MLB players were also suspended:

• Noelvi Marté (Cincinnati Reds) – 80 games for Boldenone.
• Orelvis Martínez (Toronto Blue Jays) – 80 games for Clomiphene, just two days after his MLB debut.

Profar’s suspension is a major blow to the Braves’ lineup, but with a history of overcoming challenges, the team is determined to push forward. As Profar serves his suspension, the Braves will rely on their depth to maintain their competitive edge in the 2024 MLB season.

Source: AP News – Braves’ Jurickson Profar gets 80-game PED ban, calls it ‘most difficult day’ of his career