Braves to Part Ways with $42M All-Star Profar After Second PED Suspension

Veteran outfielder faces 162-game ban, expected to be released by Atlanta

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Atlanta Braves are preparing for the upcoming MLB season, but face a major setback with the news that veteran outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended 162 games for a second positive performance-enhancing drug test. The Braves are expected to part ways with Profar, who signed a $42 million contract with the team prior to the 2024 season, once his appeal is denied by the players' union.

Why it matters

Profar's suspension is a significant blow to the Braves, who were counting on the versatile switch-hitter to be a key complementary piece in their lineup alongside stars like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson. The team will now need to find a replacement, and the Profar signing is shaping up to be one of the worst free agent deals in Braves and MLB history.

The details

Profar, 33, is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a PED for the second time in the last year. He will forfeit his entire $15 million salary for the 2026 season. The Players Association plans to challenge MLB's intention to suspend Profar, but such appeals have rarely been successful in the past.

  • On March 5, 2026, it was announced that Profar had been suspended 162 games for a second positive PED test.
  • Profar's suspension is expected to be upheld, leading to his release by the Braves before the start of the 2026 season.

The players

Jurickson Profar

A 33-year-old outfielder who signed a $42 million contract with the Atlanta Braves prior to the 2024 season, but has now been suspended 162 games for a second positive PED test.

Ronald Acuña Jr.

A star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who was expected to benefit from Profar's production and versatility in the lineup.

Matt Olson

A star first baseman for the Atlanta Braves who was also expected to benefit from Profar's presence in the lineup.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We could potentially be looking at one of the worst free agent signings in Atlanta Braves history, maybe even in MLB history. When Alex Anthopoulos brought Profar to Atlanta, it seemed that he would be a great complimentary switch-hitter in a lineup with Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley.”

— Austin Owens, FanSided Writer (FanSided)

“The Players Association plans to challenge MLB's intention to suspend Jurickson Profar for 162 games, source tells The Athletic.”

— Ken Rosenthal (The Athletic)

What’s next

The judge in Profar's case will decide in the coming days whether or not to uphold his 162-game suspension, which would lead to his release by the Braves.

The takeaway

Profar's second PED suspension is a major setback for the Braves, who will now need to find a replacement for the versatile outfielder and recoup his $15 million salary. This signing is shaping up to be one of the worst free agent deals in Braves and MLB history.