English
Español
Jurickson Profar suspension, explained: Why Braves OF received 162-game ban for second career PED violation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the second time in a year, Atlanta Braves outfielder/designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a suspension from Major League Baseball.
Profar missed around half of the 2025 season due to a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policies. Now, with around a month until the 2026 regular season begins, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Tuesday that Profar is facing a 162-game suspension for another PED violation.
The Braves slugger, who was an All-Star with the San Diego Padres in 2024, becomes the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban, equivalent to a full MLB season, since the league increased the second-time-offender penalty in 2014.
Here's what to know about Jurickson Profar's second MLB suspension.
MORE: Ranking every 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, 1-20
Why was Jurickson Profar suspended?
Passan reported Tuesday that Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, which resulted in his second MLB suspension in the past year.
As a second-time offender of the league's PED policies, Profar is facing a 162-game suspension, will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary and will be ineligible for the postseason, per Passan. There have not yet been reported details about the substance Profar tested positive for.
Profar, 33, was also set to participate in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic for Team Netherlands. Now, he will be ineligible for the tournament.
In March 2025, Profar was suspended for the first time by MLB, testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin, which is a hormone typically made during pregnancy that can encourage testosterone production.
He is entering the second year of a three-year, $42 million deal he signed with Atlanta in January 2025, initially projected to become a key piece of the Braves' lineup after being an All-Star in 2024. Last season, after returning from his suspension, Profar hit .245/.353/.434 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs. He was expected to be the Braves' designated hitter in the 2026 season, but will now be sidelined for the full year.