The Atlanta Braves' Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension and a $15 million salary forfeiture after a second positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, according to ESPN. This punishment, if confirmed, will also render him ineligible for the postseason and the World Baseball Classic this month. Profar, a 33-year-old designated hitter, becomes the sixth player to receive a full-season ban for PED use since the MLB's penalty increase for repeat offenders in 2014. Profar, a first-time All-Star in 2024 with the San Diego Padres, signed a $42 million, three-year contract with the Braves in January 2025. His first suspension came after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone that can boost testosterone production. Profar, who underwent sports hernia surgery during the offseason, was expected to transition from left field to designated hitter this season. He made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers in 2012 as the No. 1 prospect and has a career batting average of .245 with 125 home runs and 487 RBIs in 1,199 games across multiple teams. Profar's career has been marred by injuries, and he has only played more than 150 games in a season twice. He missed the 2014 and 2015 seasons due to a shoulder injury.
