After outfielder Jurickson Profar got popped for PED use for the second time in two seasons (leading to a 162-game suspension), the Atlanta Braves are limited in their options for someone to start in left field.

Outfielders Michael Harris II and five-time All-Star Ronald Acuna Jr. will occupy center field and right field, with the Braves having three players vying to start every day in left, or offer a great platoon option for manager Walt Weiss.

Three Atlanta Braves Outfielders To Fill the Void Left by Jurickson Profar
Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski 

The Braves signed the 35-year-old Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year ($23 million) contract in December 2025, which could turn into a three-year contract with a $7 million club option ($4 million buyout) for 2028. Yastrzemski spent his 2025 season between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals, and had a better second half — .237 batting average, .839 OPS in 50 games— with the Royals, while struggling in 96 games with the Giants — .231 average with a .685 OPS.

Despite spring training stats not mattering, Yastrzemski has done well in seven games, batting .529 with a 1.294 OPS and four home runs in 17 at-bats. Yastrzemski’s production and his ability to hit right-handed pitching — .256 with a .808 OPS and 15 home runs in 2025 — should earn him at least a platoon role to start the season.

Outfielder Jose Azocar 

Spending two games with the Braves last season, José Azócar signed back with Atlanta as a free agent this winter and is a non-roster invite to camp this spring. The 29-year-old has spent parts of four seasons in the big leagues with the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres, but has never stuck on the roster.

In eight games this spring, Azocar has also done well and would be a great platoon partner for Yastrzemski, hitting .398 with an OPS of .921 and two doubles from the right side. Azocar is not on the Braves’ 40-man roster, but if he continues to perform well, the Braves have an opening (39) to add him on.

Outfielder Eli White 

Spending the last three seasons with the Braves, and playing in a career-high 105 games (.234 average, .677 OPS), Eli White should be the likely platoon partner with Yastrzemski, and offers Weiss versatility playing in center field (six games in 2025) and first base (four games in 2025). In seven games this spring, White has a .316 batting average with a .771 OPS, two doubles, and a stolen base.

The Braves Could Sign One More Outfielder To Add Depth

Even though Yastrzemski, White, and Azocar offer suitable options to start the season in left field, the Braves could benefit from signing one more outfielder — sadly for the Braves, they’re limited in their options there too. The two best options available for the Braves are outfielders Tommy Pham and Hunter Renfroe.

Both are veteran outfielders, with Pham offering more of a contact hitter (1,081 career hits) and a defensive player, with three defensive runs saved in his career in left field. Renfroe possesses a strong arm (79 career outfield assists) and power (192 career home runs), which could add to the Braves’ 190 they hit last season (14th in MLB).

 

Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images