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The Atlanta Braves player will lose his season salary and will not be able to participate in the World Baseball Classic
United States - Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 162 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN.
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At 33 years old, Profar becomes the sixth player sanctioned with a full-season suspension since Major League Baseball toughened penalties for repeat offenders in 2014. As part of the disciplinary measure, he will lose his entire annual salary, estimated at 15 million dollars, and will be ineligible to play in the postseason. In addition, the player will not be able to represent the Netherlands in the next World Baseball Classic, a tournament in which he was scheduled to participate along with other players from Curaçao. The news represents a new blow for Atlanta, which is already facing significant absences in its rotation due to injuries. In March 2025, Profar had received an 80-game suspension after a positive test for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). At that time, both the player and the organization expressed surprise and reiterated their support for MLB's anti-doping program. Signed for three years and $42 million after his best season with the San Diego Padres, Profar returned in mid-2025 and left an offensive average of .245 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs. In his career, the Curaçaoan debuted with the Texas Rangers, being considered one of the main prospects in baseball. After going through several organizations, he achieved his best season in 2024 with San Diego, setting personal records in home runs and RBIs. The suspension leaves the Braves with the task of reorganizing their lineup to face the season, while Profar will have to serve the full suspension before being able to return to action.
