The 32-year-old outfielder Jurickson Profar signed a $42 million deal this offseason—a big swing by the Atlanta Braves front office after Profar’s All-Star campaign with San Diego.
But instead of seeing that bat heat up in Atlanta, he was hit with an 80-game suspension practically before the season got started after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin—a banned performance enhancer.
With the calendar flipping toward July, Profar is finally on the road to redemption.
A Rehab Tour with High Stakes
Profar is slated for a two-week stint in Triple-A Gwinnett, where he’ll play full nine-inning games each evening. That’s not just about stamina—it’s about seeing pitches, getting timing down, and shaking off the kind of rust that builds when you’re sidelined for nearly half a season.
And the Braves? They’re all in on the plan. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the front office wants Profar to get as many live at-bats as possible, prepping him to be game-ready the moment July 2 rolls around. That’s the exact date he becomes eligible to return to MLB action, and if all goes well, you can bet the Braves will slide him right back into the outfield rotation.
Numbers Don’t Lie—They Say It All
Let’s not forget what the guy did just last year. A .280 average. Nearly a .460 slugging percentage. Twenty-four home runs. Eighty-five RBIs. Plus a National League All-Star nod. And for a Braves team that’s been woefully inconsistent at the plate, especially in clutch moments, this could be a much-needed spark.
No, he’s not postseason-eligible—that’s the penalty. But Profar might still carry a big load between July and September. Think about it: the Braves are currently 31-39. They’re 13 games back in the division and 7.5 games out of a wild-card spot. It’s not impossible, but it is uphill. That means every at-bat counts, and a bat like Profar’s could swing a few close games their way.
Still a Gamble For the Braves, But a Necessary One
There’s a risk here, no doubt about that. After a long layoff and with no October on his horizon, Profar could phone it in. Or he could come back looking like the player Atlanta signed—and give the Braves the offensive jolt they’ve been missing.
Either way, Atlanta doesn’t have the luxury of waiting to find out. Their season may hinge on catching fire soon. If Profar can light that match, even for three months? He might just earn every penny of that contract, postseason ban or not.
