Jurickson Profar

Profar is 5-for-11 in three games. He obviously really needs to get some at-bats after his half-season PED ban in 2025 and full-season suspension in 2026. It’s unclear if the Braves, who have him under contract for one more year, are going to give him another shot, but if he’s released, some other team will probably pick him up for the minimum and let him play.

According to a league statement, Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone, a performance-enhancing substance. The full-season suspension will cost him the entire 2026 campaign, including the postseason. It’s the second consecutive year that he’s received a PED-related suspension since his age-31 breakthrough campaign with the Padres back in 2024. His absence momentarily frees up the DH spot in Atlanta and the front office could use his $15 million salary to either fortify their starting rotation or beef up their lineup with a veteran slugger in free agency or trade acquisition.

No word yet on what the argument against the suspension will be. We don’t even know yet what Profar tested positive for. The Braves will surely want a quick resolution either way. If Profar is suspended for the season, his $15 million salary would be off the books, and the Braves could use that money to potentially sign a starter (Lucas Giolito?) and a replacement DH/outfielder (Tommy Pham? Andrew McCutchen?).

Profar will get the full-season ban for testing positive for a PED for the second time. The 33-year-old missed 80 games due to suspension in 2025 and hit .243/.353/.434 with 14 homers in his 318 at-bats. Mike Yastrzemski and Eli White seem likely to platoon with Profar unavailable in 2026, but it’s possible Atlanta could look outside the organization.

The procedure required six weeks of recovery time. The 32-year-old outfielder noted that he began feeling discomfort in September and it continued to linger as he started his offseason workout routine. He’s reportedly fully recovered now and enters spring training without any restrictions. Profar hit .245/.353/.434 with 14 homers, 43 RBI and nine stolen bases in 318 at-bats with the Braves during the 2025 season while missing 80 games due to a PED suspension.