Braves All-Star Reportedly Faces Jaw-Dropping 162-Game Suspension

Braves All-Star Reportedly Faces Jaw-Dropping 162-Game Suspension originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

According to multiple sources, including ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan, Major League Baseball has suspended Atlanta Braves All-Star Jurickson Profar 162 games for a second violation of the league's joint drug policy.

Source confirms: Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar suspended 162 games for second violation of MLB’s joint drug policy. First: @JeffPassan

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 3, 2026

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal also reported the news, specifying that a suspension is not yet official. 

Profar’s 2025 season with the Braves was marked by challenges and solid contributions upon his return. After signing a three-year deal in the offseason, he faced an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs starting late March, limiting him to 80 appearances.

Returning in June, the switch-hitting outfielder posted a .245 batting average with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, nine stolen bases, and a .787 OPS over 371 plate appearances. He briefly missed time in September for paternity leave but remained a reliable presence in left field, showcasing elite plate discipline with a 12.9% walk rate and 15.9% strikeout rate.

In November, Profar underwent sports hernia surgery but entered spring training 2026 fully recovered, poised to shift primarily to designated hitter following the Braves’ addition of Mike Yastrzemski. Now all of that has gone out the window, it appers.

Over his 12-year career spanning 1,199 games through 2025, Profar has compiled a .245 average, 125 home runs, 487 RBI, and 66 stolen bases across stints with the Rangers, Athletics, Padres, Rockies, and Braves. Once baseball’s top prospect, he debuted in 2012 but battled injuries early on, evolving into a versatile utility player known for defensive flexibility and on-base skills. His 2024 All-Star campaign with San Diego (.280, 24 homers) set high expectations.

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