Jurickson Profar Suspended 162 Games for PEDs After Appeal

Jurickson Profar’s 2026 season is over. Major League Baseball handed him a 162-game ban after he tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites.

This ruling knocks Profar out for the entire year. He’s also ineligible for postseason play in 2026, and he loses his $15 million salary.

The veteran outfielder, now 33, signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Atlanta Braves in January 2025. He was supposed to be a regular in the outfield and get plenty of at-bats as a designated hitter—until this penalty blew up Atlanta’s plans.

Impact of the Profar suspension

162-game ban means Profar misses every game of the 2026 season. The Braves lose a proven right-handed bat in the heart of their lineup.

He’s also barred from the postseason if Atlanta makes it. The penalty comes with a $15 million forfeiture of his 2026 salary—a pretty harsh financial hit that shows MLB isn’t messing around with second PED offenses.

Profar now becomes the sixth player to get a full-season ban under the league’s stricter second-offense rules. Those rules are supposed to scare off repeat offenders, but, well, here we are.

He already served an 80-game suspension in 2025 for hCG, another PED-related issue. After that, he came back in July 2025 with the San Diego Padres, put up a .245/.353/.434 line, hit 14 homers, and drove in 43 runs while mixing into left field.

Now, MLB’s latest ruling throws his career into even more chaos. It’s tough to see where he goes from here.

Why the suspension was issued

This all started with a positive test for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites. MLB treats this as a serious violation, especially for a second offense.

The league’s taking a hard line on PEDs and wants to keep the competition fair. Profar’s case makes it clear: even established vets can get long-term bans if they break the rules, no matter their track record.

Braves roster strategy in Profar’s absence

With Profar out, Braves manager Walt Weiss said the designated-hitter spot will be “fairly fluid.” Atlanta’s already made moves to patch things up, signing Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23 million deal.

That signing shows the Braves are rethinking how they balance offense and defense. They’ll lean on Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II to anchor the outfield, now with Yastrzemski in the mix.

The team’s hoping versatility and depth can cover for Profar while they try to keep pace in a tough division.

• Mike Yastrzemski brings left-handed pop and extra outfield and DH depth.
• Acuña Jr. and Harris II are set to lead the outfield, offering speed, defense, and plenty of run production.
• The DH job will rotate for now, keeping the lineup flexible until Profar’s situation changes—or they find a permanent answer.

Context and career implications

Profar’s suspension puts him in a small group of players who’ve faced full-season bans under MLB’s tougher PED penalties. At 33, losing a full year is a brutal blow, especially after signing that three-year deal with Atlanta in early 2025.

He’s giving up a year’s salary and postseason eligibility. It’s a steep hill to climb back in a league that doesn’t wait for anyone.

What Braves fans should expect in 2026

Atlanta heads into 2026 with a rotation and lineup that can still compete. But losing Profar? That’s going to take some finesse—mixing young talent, steady veterans, and just the right matchups.

Yastrzemski’s arrival, plus Acuña and Harris growing into their roles, gives the Braves a strong outfield. There’s also some wiggle room at DH if they want to get creative.

The front office will have to rely on depth to get through the year. They’ll try to keep the playoff window open, even as they juggle the fallout—on the field and in the books—of Profar’s suspension.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan and The Associated Press have covered how one league decision can shake up a team’s whole outlook. It’s wild how quickly plans can change, isn’t it?

Note: This take is based on the latest from MLB, team statements, and ESPN/AP reporting. Things could shift, depending on what happens with Profar and the roster after 2026.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Jurickson Profar gets 162-game PED suspension after appeal resolved