WILLEMSTAD (DA) — Major League Baseball has suspended Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar for 162 games without pay after he tested positive for Exogenous Testosterone and its metabolites, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of the league’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
MLB said the suspension is scheduled to take effect Friday, March 6, turning earlier media reports into a formal disciplinary announcement from the league.
The development came after Deporte Awe sought clarification from multiple parties as reports circulated during the day. A person familiar with the union’s position said the MLB Players Association will be filing a grievance to appeal the discipline.
The Braves also responded after MLB’s announcement, saying they were “incredibly disappointed” to learn that Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance and was found in violation of MLB’s Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Atlanta added that its players are consistently educated about the program and the consequences of violating it, and said the organization fully supports the policy.
Before MLB’s formal announcement, a person familiar with the league’s position had indicated that MLB was aware of the day’s media reports but had made no announcement and therefore had no further comment at that time. That changed once the league issued its disciplinary release.
Profar, a veteran outfielder and designated hitter for the Braves, has also been named to the Kingdom of the Netherlands national team roster for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic, adding another layer of interest as the grievance process moves forward.
Earlier, a spokesperson for the Kingdom of the Netherlands national team told Deporte Awe the program was working to provide clarity and was waiting to learn more from Major League Baseball. With MLB now having issued its decision, attention is likely to shift to the appeal process and any potential implications for Profar’s international availability.