LOS ANGELES -- Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has tested positive for a banned substance and will begin an 80-game suspension on Monday, for the start of a three-game series from Dodger Stadium. Profar tested positive for chorionic gonadotrophin, a performance-enhancing drug, according to MLB.
Profar, 32, signed a $1 million contract with the San Diego Padres two offseasons ago and put together the best offensive season of his career in 2024, slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs in 158 games. The Braves then signed him to a three-year, $42 million deal this past January to make him their everyday left fielder.
Profar's suspension comes in the wake of a brutal opening weekend for the Braves, who were swept in a four-game series by the San Diego Padres while scoring a combined seven runs -- including zero over the last 22 innings.
Profar's absence will especially be felt with Ronald Acuna Jr. not expected back off the injured list for another month. Jered Kelenic and Bryan de La Cruz have been platooning in right field in Acuna's absence. With Profar gone, the Braves can also turn to Alex Verdugo, who was signed to a $1.5 million deal on March 20 and subsequently optioned to the minor leagues in order to get at-bats.
