Atlanta Braves veteran Jurickson Profar is on the brink of missing the full 2026 MLB season after reportedly testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in just over a year, according to multiple sources. Under Major League Baseball’s joint drug prevention and treatment program, a second positive PED test triggers an automatic 162-game suspension, effectively sidelining him for the entire regular season. This potential ban also makes Profar ineligible for postseason play and the World Baseball Classic, where he had been slated to represent the Netherlands.
The consequences for Profar and the Braves are significant on and off the field. The 33-year-old outfielder/designated hitter signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Atlanta prior to the 2025 season and was expected to be a key contributor in 2026. Instead, he now faces losing his entire $15 million salary for this season and becoming one of only a handful of players in recent years to receive a full-season ban under MLB’s stricter policy for repeat PED offenders. Profar had previously served an 80-game suspension in 2025 after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin, a substance that can elevate testosterone levels.
For the Braves, the loss of Profar creates a notable hole in their lineup heading into the 2026 campaign. After a disappointing 2025 season plagued by injuries and unmet expectations, Atlanta was counting on veteran depth and offensive production from Profar to help bounce back. With the slugger now set to miss the year, the team will need to look to other players to replace his projected role as a middle-of-the-order bat and designated hitter. The suspension also highlights MLB’s ongoing enforcement of its drug policy and the high stakes for players who fail to comply with league regulations.
