Sources: Braves' Profar faces 162-game ban, 2nd PED violation - ESPN

Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the past year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary and will be ineligible for the postseason. Profar also will be ineligible for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, where he was set to represent the Netherlands, whose team includes players from his native Curacao.

The loss of Profar is a significant blow to the Braves, who have already lost starting pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep to elbow injuries, as they try to rebound from a 76-86 season. The 2025 season started inauspiciously as well with Profar's 80-game suspension on March 31 for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone typically made during pregnancy that can encourage testosterone production.

Following that suspension, Profar said in a statement that «it is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it.» In a statement, at the time, the Braves said they were «surprised and extremely disappointed» but that they «fully support the program and are hopeful Jurickson will learn from this experience.»

Atlanta signed Profar to a three-year, $42 million contract last January after he had a career year with the San Diego Padres. His suspension came following the fourth game of the season and, after returning in early July, he went on to hit .245/.353/.434 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs while playing left field.

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