Take a deep breath because this one could have been much worse. The latest on the Atlanta Braves All-Star outfielder Jurickson Profar is finally in, and it’s good news.
According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Profar’s CT scan revealed nothing more than a bone bruise, and he’s expected to be ready for Opening Day on March 27.
A Scary Moment but a Good Outcome
Profar gave everyone a scare on Saturday when he made a diving play against the Pittsburgh Pirates and landed awkwardly on his left hand. Initial reports suggested a jammed wrist, but X-rays came back negative, and he flew to Atlanta for further testing.
Thankfully, those results cleared up any major concerns—just a bruise, nothing structural that should keep him sidelined long-term. But naturally, he’ll be sitting out Sunday’s game against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, and there’s no official timeline yet for when he’ll resume full baseball activities.
Braves Fans Have Seen This Before
If this had happened last year, Braves fans might have gone into full panic mode—and for good reason.
The 2024 season was a nightmare when it came to injuries, and with Ronald Acuña Jr. already set to miss the start of 2025 as he recovers from ACL surgery, another major loss would have been brutal. But this time? The Braves dodged a bullet.
Profar is a big piece of Atlanta’s plans after signing a three-year, $42 million deal this offseason. And it’s easy to see why the Braves wanted him—he’s coming off a career year at 31, making his first All-Star appearance and winning a Silver Slugger Award.
His 2024 stat line? A rock-solid .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs and 85 RBIs. That’s the kind of production Atlanta needs, especially with Acuña out to start the season.
The Outfield Picture Moving Forward
So far, Spring Training hasn’t been too kind to Profar. He’s hitting just .167 in six games with a .706 OPS, no home runs, and no RBIs. But let’s be real—it’s Spring Training.
Players work out the kinks, experiment at the plate, and fine-tune their timing. What matters is that he’s healthy and ready to go when the real games start.
The Braves’ outfield on Opening Day will likely feature Profar in left field, Michael Harris II in center, and a combination of Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz in right. With Acuña on the shelf, that unit is going to be critical in keeping the offense rolling.
And the injuries don’t stop there. Atlanta will also be without starting catcher Sean Murphy, who’s dealing with a cracked rib to open the season.
But at least in Profar’s case, the worst-case scenario didn’t come true. He’s bruised, sure, but not broken—and come March 27, he should be right where the Braves need him.
