NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for the 2026 season by Major League Baseball on Tuesday following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.<\/p>\n
Profar tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its metabolites, the commissioner\u2019s office said, which means testosterone that was not produced by his body. Because it was a second offense, the length of Profar\u2019s suspension was 162 games.<\/p>\n
The players\u2019 association filed a grievance at Profar\u2019s request to appeal to baseball\u2019s independent arbitrator, Martin F. Scheinman, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity, because no announcement had been made.<\/p>\n
An All-Star in 2024, Profar was suspended for 80 games last March 31<\/a> following a positive test for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that helps production of testosterone. He issued a statement then saying: \u201cI would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB\u2019s decision.\u201d<\/p>\n His agent, Dan Lozano, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. <\/p>\n The Braves released a statement that they \u201cwere incredibly disappointed\u201d about the failed drug test.<\/p>\n \u201cOur players are consistently educated about the (MLB Drug Prevention and Treatment) Program and the consequences if they are found to be in violation,\u201d the club said. \u201cThe Atlanta Braves fully support the Program.\u201d<\/p>\n Profar homered in his return from suspension on July 2<\/a> and finished with a .245 average, 14 homers, 43 RBIs and a .787 OPS in 80 games. He batted .280 in 2024, when he set career highs with 24 homers, 85 RBIs and an .839 OPS.<\/p>\n Profar said at the start of spring training that he had sports hernia surgery in November, requiring a six-week recovery time. He has appeared in four spring training games this year, going 3 for 10 with three RBIs.<\/p>\n Under the suspension, he is ineligible for the postseason and the World Baseball Classic. A native of Cura\u00e7ao, Profar had been set to play for the Netherlands.<\/p>\n Profar will lose his $15 million salary for this year as part of a $42 million, three-year contract through 2027<\/a>. He lost half his $12 million salary in 2025 due to the initial suspension.<\/p>\n He became the seventh player suspended 162 games for a second PED infraction after New York Mets pitcher Jenrry Mejia<\/a> (July 2015), Cleveland outfielder Marlon Byrd<\/a> (June 2016), free agent catcher Cody Stanley<\/a> (July 2016), Houston pitcher Francis Martes<\/a> (February 2020), Mets second baseman Robinson Can\u00f3<\/a> (November 2020) and Milwaukee pitcher J.C. Mejia<\/a> (September 2023).<\/p>\n Mejia received a lifetime ban in February 2016<\/a> after a third positive test, the only player to be given a permanent ban since drug testing with penalties started in 2004.<\/p>\n