Opinion: How Jurickson Profar's suspension will impact the Atlanta Braves

On Monday, Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned substance.

The performance enhancing drug Profar tested positive for is known as Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that aids in the production of testosterone.

Profar’s suspension, which began Monday night after sitting out the Braves’ game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, will keep him out of games until June 29. However, he will be ineligible to participate in the 2025 Postseason if Atlanta qualifies.

Profar had the best season of his career in 2024, and turned that into a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves in January.

Last season with the San Diego Padres, he posted a .280 batting average with 24 home runs and 85 RBI, making the All Star Game for the first time.

Profar’s success last season came after self-changes he made about his own game, such as adjusting his swing, but now it will be difficult to attribute the entirety of his success to that single adjustment.

The suspension is a brutal blow for the Braves, who were swept in their first series of the year against the Padres, Profar’s former team. They lost 6-1 to the Dodgers on Monday night, meaning they are still winless going into their game on Tuesday.

With star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. recovering from his torn left ACL and out until the first half of May, the Braves are now down another outfielder following Profar’s PED suspension.

Atlanta will have to rotate between Bryan De La Cruz, Eli White and Stuart Fairchild (acquired via trade on Monday) for their third outfield spot until Acuña Jr. can return.

Calling up Alex Verdugo, currently in AAA, is also an option. Verdugo was signed to a one-year contract after spending 2024 with the New York Yankees.

Not to mention, Atlanta has other injuries to worry about as well. According to MLB.com’s latest injury report, catcher Sean Murphy and starting pitcher Spencer Strider will miss more time this month.

The Braves already had a lot to figure out and now have more to deal with, but they are notoriously known for performing well without key players.

Also, it’s the first day of April and there’s a long season ahead. Will the Braves sort things out between now and the end of June? Time will tell.

Adam Pietrzak is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email app5940@psu.edu.