The Atlanta Braves entered spring training with expectations of another powerful season built around superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. and a lineup loaded with talent. But in a sudden turn that sent ripples through the organization, those plans took a major hit this week when outfielder and designated hitter Jurickson Profar was hit with a suspension for the entire 2026 season following a second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.
A Major Suspension Rocks the Braves’ Plans
Major League Baseball announced the suspension, confirming that Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, testosterone that originates from outside the body. Under MLB’s drug policy, a second offense triggers a 162-game suspension, effectively sidelining Profar for the entire season.
The news came just as the Braves were preparing for their exhibition matchup against Team Colombia in North Port, Florida. Profar had been projected as a central part of Atlanta’s offensive structure, potentially hitting second in the lineup behind Acuña while also rotating between the outfield and designated hitter roles.
Newly appointed Braves manager Walt Weiss addressed the situation Wednesday with a tone that balanced disappointment with determination. Weiss, who stepped into the managerial role in November following Brian Snitker’s retirement, acknowledged the sting of losing a key contributor but emphasized the opportunity that adversity can create.
Walt Weiss Draws Inspiration From 2021
Weiss pointed to a moment that Braves fans remember well: the devastating knee injury to Ronald Acuña Jr. during the 2021 season. That injury appeared to derail Atlanta’s hopes at the time, yet the team rallied and ultimately captured the World Series title.
Weiss suggested that history shows adversity can sometimes spark unexpected breakthroughs.
“The moral of the story is something good is likely to come from the bad news,” Weiss explained. “Someone’s going to step up, someone’s going to get an opportunity. In 2021, the day we lost Ronald, nobody’s picking that option. And nobody’s taking this option. But guess what? Something good will come of this.”
Before the suspension, Profar’s versatility had given Atlanta significant lineup flexibility. He was expected to rotate between the outfield and designated hitter spot, giving the Braves multiple ways to structure their offense throughout the season.
New Opportunities Emerging Across the Roster
Without Profar available, Atlanta will now spread those responsibilities among several players. Catcher Drake Baldwin, who captured the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year award, served as the designated hitter during Wednesday’s exhibition game. Weiss suggested the DH position could remain fluid as the season unfolds.
The Braves’ offseason signing of veteran outfielder Mike Yastrzemski now appears even more important. Atlanta signed Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23 million deal, and he is expected to start in left field alongside Acuña in right and Michael Harris in center.
Meanwhile, Eli White could step into a larger role as the team’s fourth outfielder.
Additional flexibility may arrive later in the season when infielder Ha-Seong Kim returns from a finger injury. For now, Mauricio Dubon is expected to open the season as Atlanta’s starting shortstop. Once Kim is healthy, Dubon could become another option for the outfield rotation.
Appeal Pending as Braves Focus on the Season
Profar’s suspension carries added significance because it marks his second violation of Major League Baseball’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Last season, he served an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone known to stimulate testosterone production.
At the time, Profar released a statement saying he would never knowingly take a banned substance but accepted responsibility for the violation.
He is expected to appeal the latest suspension, though Weiss said the Braves are preparing as if Profar will be unavailable for the entire season.
Despite the circumstances, Weiss stood by the positive remarks he previously made about Profar’s leadership in the clubhouse. According to the manager, Profar had earned respect within the team during the previous season as both a productive player and supportive teammate.
For the Braves, however, the focus has already shifted forward. The roster will adjust, new opportunities will emerge, and the organization is determined to maintain its momentum heading into the 2026 campaign. As Weiss made clear, the situation is not one the team would have chosen, but the message inside the clubhouse remains simple: move forward and keep competing.
