Braves Outfielder Jurickson Profar Suspended for 2026 Season Over PED Violation

Second positive drug test leads to full-season ban for All-Star player

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:25am

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An extreme close-up of a baseball player's torso and legs, rendered in a vibrant, expressionist style with bold, energetic brushstrokes in neon shades of blue, green, and orange, conceptually representing the raw emotions and tension of a high-profile doping scandal.A neon-hued, abstract depiction of the emotional turmoil surrounding a star player's suspension for a second PED violation, capturing the intensity and uncertainty of the scandal.Atlanta Today

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for the entire 2026 MLB season, including the playoffs, after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug. This is Profar's second PED violation in as many years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the league's drug testing and education programs.

Why it matters

Profar's suspension is a significant blow to the Braves, who will have to find a way to succeed without their All-Star outfielder. The incident also highlights the ongoing battle against PED use in professional sports and the need to reevaluate current anti-doping measures.

The details

Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone, a substance not naturally produced by the body. This comes after he served an 80-game suspension in 2025 for using Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that boosts testosterone. The latest violation will cost Profar a substantial portion of his $15 million salary this year and half of his salary in 2025.

  • Profar was suspended for the entire 2026 MLB season, including the playoffs.
  • In 2025, Profar served an 80-game suspension for using Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG).

The players

Jurickson Profar

An All-Star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who has now been caught using performance-enhancing drugs twice in as many years.

Walt Weiss

The manager of the Atlanta Braves, who remains optimistic about the team's ability to overcome Profar's suspension.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage the integrity of our sport.”

— Rob Manfred, Commissioner, Major League Baseball

“Adversity can bring out the best in a team, and someone will step up to fill the void left by Profar.”

— Walt Weiss, Manager, Atlanta Braves

What’s next

The Braves will need to find a way to replace Profar's production on the field, and the MLB will likely review its drug testing and education programs to address the ongoing issue of PED use.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing battle against PED use in professional sports and the need for more effective deterrents and support systems for athletes. It also underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game and the trust between players, teams, and fans.