It's been a disappointing start to the 2025 season for the Atlanta Braves, and things just got quite a bit worse.
On Monday, outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended 80 games by the MLB for violating its performance-enhancing drug policy. The news was first reported by Mike Rodriguez and later confirmed by ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Atlanta acknowledged Profar's suspension in a statement shortly after the report, saying that it was "disappointed" to learn of Profar's positive test and hoped he would learn from the mistake.
“We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Prevention and Treatment Program," the Braves said in the statement. "We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience.”
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar is being suspended for 80 games for violating MLB’s PED policy, sources confirm to ESPN. First with the news was @mikedeportes.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 31, 2025
Statement from the Atlanta Braves: pic.twitter.com/KOplY13FuA
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 31, 2025
In his own statement, Profar asserted that he would never willingly take a banned substance but also took "full responsibility" and stated that he accepted the decision to suspend him.
"Braves fans, today is the most difficult day of my baseball career," Profar said in the statement. "I am devastated to announce that I have been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball and the Commissioner’s office, for testing positive for a banned substance this offseason. This is especially painful for me because 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. It is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it. 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. I am devastated that I won’t be on the field with my teammates for the next 80 games. I look forward to competing again at the highest level this season upon my return."
Profar will be allowed to return to the team in July when his suspension expires, but if the Braves make the MLB playoffs, he will not be allowed to be on the postseason roster as MLB rules state that players who have served a PED suspension that season are not eligible.
Profar was Atlanta's top free agent acquisition this past offseason, and the 28-year-old agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the team. He was coming off a career year in 2024 in which he batted .280 while hitting 24 home runs and notching 85 RBI, both career highs.
Now, he'll be sidelined for the rest of the first half of the season (as well as the ...
