Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar will miss the entire upcoming 2026 season after losing his appeal against a second positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. Major League Baseball officials confirmed that the veteran player tested positive for exogenous testosterone and its associated metabolites earlier this month. This ruling carries a mandatory 162-game suspension, which effectively sidelines the former All-Star for both the regular season and any potential postseason appearances. The finalization of this appeal ends weeks of speculation regarding his availability for the next year of play.

This marks the second time Profar has faced discipline for violating the league’s joint drug prevention and treatment program. He previously served an 80-game ban last year after testing positive for a hormone that stimuates testosterone production, though he maintained at the time that he never knowingly used prohibited substances. Because this latest incident represents a repeat offense, the penalty has escalated under the rules established over a decade ago for multiple-time offenders. Profar is now just the sixth player in the history of the sport to receive a ban covering a full 162-game schedule.

The financial consequences of the decision are just as significant as the time lost on the field. Profar will forfeit his entire salary for the 2026 season, which amounts to roughly 15 million dollars. This loss comes only a year after he signed a lucrative three-year contract worth 42 million dollars following a breakout performance in San Diego. The Braves had secured his services with the hope that he would provide a steady veteran presence in their lineup, but they will now have to navigate the middle of that contract without their projected starter.

The absence of the 33-year-old outfielder creates a noticeable gap in the Atlanta batting order and defensive rotation. Manager Walt Weiss had originally planned to use Profar as a primary designated hitter or left fielder, often slotting him in the prestigious second spot behind star Ronald Acuna Jr. Without Profar to bridge the gap, the coaching staff will likely rely more heavily on Mike Yastrzemski, who joined the team on a two-year deal during the recent offseason. Yastrzemski is now expected to take over a full-time role in the outfield alongside Acuna and Michael Harris.

Team leadership indicated that the designated hitter spot will likely remain a flexible position throughout the season, with several players rotating through the role to keep the lineup fresh. While the Braves have enough depth to remain competitive, the loss of an experienced hitter like Profar changes the dynamic of their roster construction. The team will now move forward with their current spring training plans, focusing on the available players who will lead the franchise during his forced absence. Profar will not be eligible to rejoin the active roster until the start of the 2027 campaign.