Braves Eyeing Dom Smith to Fill Profar Void

Atlanta looks to the former Mets first baseman as Jurickson Profar faces PED suspension

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Atlanta Braves are high on Dom Smith as they await a decision on Jurickson Profar's 162-game suspension for a positive PED test. Smith, a former first-round pick of the Mets, is having a strong spring training and could see increased playing time in the outfield or as the designated hitter with Profar expected to miss the entire 2026 season.

Why it matters

The Braves are in need of offensive production, especially with injuries to key players like Sean Murphy and Ha-Seong Kim. Smith's hot spring could provide a boost as the team looks to avoid another slow start and return to the playoffs after missing out in 2025.

The details

Smith was drafted 11th overall by the Mets in 2013 but struggled to find consistent playing time in New York behind first baseman Pete Alonso. He has since spent time with several teams, including the Giants last season. Now with the Braves, Smith is hitting .421 with a 1.132 OPS in spring training as the team looks to replace the expected production loss from Profar's suspension.

  • Jurickson Profar tested positive for PEDs twice and is facing a 162-game ban.
  • The Braves are awaiting a final ruling on Profar's suspension.

The players

Dom Smith

A former first-round pick of the New York Mets who is having a strong spring training with the Atlanta Braves as they look to replace the expected production loss from Jurickson Profar's PED suspension.

Jurickson Profar

The former San Diego Padres outfielder who has tested positive for PEDs twice and is facing a 162-game suspension from Major League Baseball.

Matt Olson

The Braves' starting first baseman who has won a Gold Glove and hit 29 home runs with 95 RBIs in 2025 despite the team's down year.

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What they’re saying

“Dom Smith is having a strong spring with the Atlanta Braves, hitting .421 with a 1.132 OPS. He's coming off a successful stint with the Giants last season and now with the absence of Jurickson Profar, could have a role with regular at-bats in 2026 with Atlanta.”

— Robert Murray, FanSided reporter (FanSided)

What’s next

The Braves are awaiting a final ruling from MLB on the length of Jurickson Profar's suspension, which is expected to be 162 games.

The takeaway

With key injuries and the looming Profar suspension, the Braves are counting on Dom Smith's hot spring to provide a much-needed offensive boost as they look to return to the playoffs in 2026 after missing out last season.