Nationals' Mikolas Criticizes Braves Star's PED Suspension

Veteran pitcher says Profar has 'plenty of money and time' to defend himself without union's help.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Washington Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas has criticized Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar's recent performance-enhancing drug suspension, saying Profar should not expect the players' union to help him appeal the penalty. Profar was suspended for the entire 2026 MLB season after his second PED violation in the past year.

Why it matters

Mikolas' comments highlight the ongoing debate over how players' unions should handle cases of PED use, with some arguing that unions should not automatically defend players who violate drug policies. Profar's abrupt departure from the World Baseball Classic without informing his teammates has also drawn scrutiny.

The details

Mikolas, a former All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals, said Profar "has plenty of money and time now to defend himself without the need of the Players Association." The MLBPA has said it will move forward with Profar's request to appeal the suspension, which is set to begin on Friday.

  • Profar was suspended for the entire 2026 MLB season on March 5, 2026.
  • Profar left his World Baseball Classic teammates 'stunned' by departing the stadium without informing them on March 7, 2026.

The players

Miles Mikolas

A starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals and former All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Jurickson Profar

An outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who was suspended for the entire 2026 MLB season after his second PED violation in the past year.

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What they’re saying

“He's got plenty of money and time now to defend himself without the need of the Players Association.”

— Miles Mikolas, Washington Nationals Pitcher (Foul Territory)

“This is a grown-man business. He's not a kid, and everybody knows the rules. They know how many tests they're doing, what you can take, and what you cannot take. So, after that, I can't tell you what he's done or not. I didn't get a chance to talk to him because he left right away.”

— Andruw Jones, Netherlands WBC Manager (The Athletic)

What’s next

The MLBPA will move forward with Profar's request to appeal his suspension, which is set to begin on Friday.

The takeaway

Mikolas' criticism of Profar highlights the ongoing debate over how players' unions should handle cases of PED use, with some arguing that unions should not automatically defend players who violate drug policies. Profar's abrupt departure from the World Baseball Classic has also drawn scrutiny and raised questions about his accountability.