Major League Baseball suspended Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar for the 2026 season on Tuesday after what the league described as his second positive test under its performance-enhancing drug program. The penalty is a 162-game suspension, the standard length for a second offense.
MLB said Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, meaning testosterone that was not produced by his body. Under the suspension, Profar is also ineligible for the postseason and the World Baseball Classic.
Appeal Filed Through MLBPA
A person familiar with the process said the players’ association filed a grievance at Profar’s request, sending the matter to independent arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made.
Profar’s agent, Dan Lozano, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Second Offense Follows 2025 Suspension
The new suspension follows an 80-game ban issued on March 31, 2025, after Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone associated with stimulating testosterone production. At the time, Profar said he would not knowingly take a banned substance, while also accepting MLB’s decision.
The Braves said in a statement that they were “incredibly disappointed” by the failed test and emphasized that players are routinely educated on MLB’s drug program and its consequences. The club added that it fully supports the league’s prevention and treatment framework.
Contract Impact and Recent Performance
Profar will forfeit his $15 million salary for 2026 as part of a $42 million, three-year contract that runs through 2027. He previously lost half of his $12 million salary in 2025 due to the earlier suspension.
After returning from the 2025 ban, Profar homered in his first game back on July 2 and finished that season with a .245 average, 14 home runs, 43 RBIs and a .787 OPS across 80 games. He was an All-Star in 2024, when he hit .280 and set career highs with 24 home runs, 85 RBIs and a .839 OPS.
Profar also said earlier this spring that he underwent sports hernia surgery in November and required roughly six weeks of recovery. In four spring training games this year, he went 3-for-10 with three RBIs.
Roster Ripple Effects for Atlanta
Profar had been expected to serve as the Braves’ primary designated hitter after the team signed Mike Yastrzemski to a $23 million, two-year deal to play left field. With Michael Harris and Ronald Acuña Jr. also in the outfield, Atlanta has multiple ways to rework its lineup without Profar.
One option is increased DH time for Drake Baldwin, the 2025 NL Rookie of the Year, once catcher Sean Murphy returns from a hip injury. The Braves could also look to Eli White for DH at-bats. Atlanta is also dealing with an infield issue, with projected starting shortstop Ha-seong Kim out due to a finger injury and Mauricio Dubon expected to open the season at shortstop.
The opening created by Profar’s suspension could also benefit Dominic Smith, who signed a minor league deal on Feb. 17.
Rare Second-Offense Suspension
MLB said Profar is the seventh player to receive a 162-game suspension for a second PED infraction since penalties began in 2004. The league noted that Jenrry Mejia later received a lifetime ban in 2016 after a third positive test.