Braves’ Jurickson Profar suspended 80 games for violating MLB’s PED policy
MLB announced that 32-year-old outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games for violating the league’s PED policy.
The Atlanta Braves‘ rough start to 2025 continued on Monday.
MLB announced that 32-year-old outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games for violating the league’s PED policy.
Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a performance-enhancing substance, MLB said.
According to the New York Post‘s Jon Heyman, “hCG is a masking agent used to restart natural testosterone production after a steroid cycle.”
The switching-hitting Profar signed a three-year, $42-million deal with Atlanta in the off-season after making his first all-star appearance in 2024.
He will not be paid during his suspension, which will run through the end of April. Profar will be eligible to return during the regular season, but cannot play in the playoffs.
“Today is the most difficult day of my baseball career…,” Profar said in a statement released by the Players Association. “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 favourite.”
The 12-year MLB veteran had his long-awaited breakout with the San Diego Padres, slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers, 85 RBIs and 10 stolen bases, earning an outfielder Silver Slugger in the National League.
Profar revealed that he was tested for banned substances eight times last season in his statement.
Through his first four games with Atlanta, Profar picked up three hits in 15 at-bats while striking out three times. The Braves were ultimately swept by the Padres to open the season.
“I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates and the fans,” Profar continued in his statement. “It is because of my deep love and respect for the game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it.”
Earlier Monday, the Braves completed a trade to acquire outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds.
