Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a prohibited substance, as announced by Major League Baseball on Monday. The 32-year-old athlete tested positive for chorionic gonadotropin, which is classified as a performance-enhancing drug.

This suspension follows a disappointing four-game series in which the Braves were swept by the San Diego Padres, managing to score only seven runs in total. With Ronald Acuna Jr. sidelined for at least another month due to injury, Atlanta is expected to rely on Jered Kelenic and Bryan de La Cruz. Additionally, they may consider Alex Verdugo, who was signed to a $1.5 million contract on March 20.

In their statement, the Braves expressed their surprise and disappointment regarding Profar's positive test for a performance-enhancing substance, which breaches Major League Baseball's Joint Prevention and Treatment Program. They affirmed their support for the program and expressed hope that Profar will gain valuable insights from this situation.

When will Jurickson Profar return?

Profar is set to serve an 80-game suspension, which is the standard penalty for a first-time violation of the performance-enhancing drugs policy in Major League Baseball. The regular season commenced on March 27, 2025, and a complete MLB season consists of 162 games, generally taking place from late March to late September. Consequently, the outfielder is expected to be sidelined for approximately half of the season.

Jurickson Profar's contract details

Profar signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Atlanta Braves in January this year.

Salary Breakdown:

2025: $12 million.

2026: $15 million.

2027: $15 million.

What is Human chorionic gonadotropin?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone primarily generated by the placenta during pregnancy, playing a crucial role in supporting the fetus by stimulating the production of progesterone. Medically, it is utilized to enhance fertility, inducing ovulation in women and increasing testosterone levels in men. In addition to its reproductive functions, hCG is associated with rare tumors and has been misappropriated in sports for performance enhancement, resulting in penalties such as the recent suspension of Jurickson Profar from Major League Baseball.

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