Atlanta Braves star Jurickson Profar faces a significant setback with an 80-game suspension for violating MLB’s PED policy. Caught using banned substance hCG, he’s out until late July, leaving the struggling Braves to adjust fast. Signed for $42 million, his 2024 success (.280, 24 HRs) now hangs in the balance. Can he rebound? Will Atlanta survive this blow? Dive into the full story of his suspension and its impact.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been hit with an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance. The announcement came straight from the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball on March 31, 2025. Profar’s positive test revealed chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a drug prohibited under Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. His suspension kicks in immediately.
What the Suspension Means
Profar’s punishment arrives just days into the 2025 season, which started March 27. He’ll miss nearly half the regular season—80 games—without pay. This is the standard penalty under MLB rules for a first-time offender like him. However, there’s a silver lining: if the Braves make the playoffs, Profar can still play, assuming this remains his only offense.
The Braves didn’t hide their frustration. In a statement, the team said they backed the league’s drug policy but were disappointed by Profar’s actions. They added that they hoped he would grow from this. Profar, for his part, owned up to it. He said he never meant to take anything banned and takes full blame.
The Timing Couldn’t Be Worse
The Braves are already stumbling. They’ve dropped their first four games of the season to the San Diego Padres. Losing Profar, a key offseason signing, stings even more now. His absence leaves a gap in the outfield, forcing the team to rethink its lineup early.
Profar’s Contract and Past Success
Profar inked a three-year, $42 million deal with Atlanta this offseason. He’s set to earn $12 million in 2025, then $15 million each of the next two years. Before this mess, he was coming off a strong 2024 with the Padres. There, he hit .280, smashed 24 home runs, and drove in 85 runs—a career year. That performance made him a hot commodity, landing a big contract with the Braves.
Now, though? This suspension clouds his future. It blows his reputation and could shift how fans and teams see him moving forward.
How It Affects the Braves
The Braves were counting on Profar to boost their offense. Last season, they finished 89-73 but lost in the Wild Card round. His bat was supposed to help them take the next step. Without him for 80 games, the team might lean on younger players or scramble for a trade. For example, when the Philadelphia Phillies lost star Bryce Harper to injury in 2022, they turned to rookie Bryson Stott, who stepped up with a .234 average and 10 homers. Atlanta might need a similar spark.
Bigger Picture: PEDs in Baseball
Profar’s case isn’t unique. In 2023, Padres infielder Fernando Tatis Jr. faced an 80-game ban for a similar violation. He returned in 2024 and still hit .270 with 14 homers in 80 games. That shows players can bounce back—but the damage to trust lingers. MLB’s PED policy aims to keep the game clean and stats back its impact: positive tests dropped from 11 in 2019 to just 5 in 2023, per league reports.
What’s Next?
Profar’s suspension tests his resilience and the Braves’ depth. He’ll be eligible to return in late July, assuming no delays. Until then, Atlanta has to adapt. Fans will watch closely to see if the team sinks or swims—and if Profar can reclaim his form after this setback. For now, it’s a tough break for a player and a franchise with high hopes.
