ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar is being suspended for 80 games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, according to sources. Profar parlayed his career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024 into a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves in the offseason, but he played in only four games for the Braves to open the 2025 season before being hit with an 80-game PED suspension. It's a big blow for the Braves offense, especially with former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) not expected to make his debut until May after tearing his ACL in 2024. With Profar suspended, the Braves acquired Stuart Fairchild on Monday from the Reds to give them extra outfield depth. With Profar out for the foreseeable future, expect Bryan De La Cruz to see most of the playing time in left field in Atlanta.
Jurickson Profar To Return To The Lineup On Thursday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (wrist) is scheduled to return to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and play in the remainder of the spring games, according to The Athletic's David O'Brien. A bone bruise in his left wrist has kept Profar out of spring training games since March 8, but he's ready to return now and should be ready to go for Opening Day next Thursday, barring a setback this weekend. The 32-year-old has gone 2-for-12 with two doubles in six games so far this spring. While he should be ready, it will be interesting to see if his lack of spring action will hurt him early on at the plate in his first year in Atlanta after a breakout 2024 campaign with the San Diego Padres. Profar doesn't have elite speed or power, but he makes a lot of contact and has great plate discipline. He's just inside RotoBaller's top-40 outfield rankings.
Jurickson Profar Takes Batting Practice, Could Return On Thursday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (wrist) took batting practice on Sunday in camp, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. The Braves have Monday off and will be in Tampa on Wednesday night, so they may wait until Thursday to put Profar back in the Grapefruit League lineup. However, until then, he can get as many at-bats as he needs in minor-league games. Bowman says that Profar remains on track for Opening Day next Thursday. The Braves are being cautious with the 32-year-old after he sustained a bone bruise in his left wrist in spring training, but fantasy managers shouldn't need to worry that he won't be ready for the start of the regular season unless he suffers a setback once he resumes playing in games. After a breakout year in 2024 with the Padres, many fantasy managers are wondering if Profar can repeat it. He doesn't have great speed or power, but he's in an excellent lineup and is just inside RotoBaller's rankings as a top-40 outfielder.
Jurickson Profar "Very Confident" He'll Be Ready For Opening Day
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (wrist) will undergo treatment and limit his on-field activities to standing in the box to track live pitches over the next few days in camp. Profar could be cleared to swing within the next few days, though. When asked about whether he'll be ready for Opening Day, he smiled and said, "very confident," MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports. While most fantasy managers are probably expecting the 32-year-old to take a step back after a career year in 2024 with the San Diego Padres that led to some MVP votes, he's still worth targeting as a No. 3/4 fantasy outfielder in upcoming drafts as long as he doesn't have any setbacks with his wrist once he resumes swinging. Profar doesn't have elite power or speed, but he makes plenty of contact, has great plate discipline and is guaranteed regular playing time in a strong Braves lineup.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar's (wrist) CT scan revealed that he's dealing with a bone in his left wrist, and the expectation is that he will be ready for Opening Day later this month, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. It's great news for the Braves and for any fantasy managers that may have selected Profar in drafts already after his career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024 in which he hit .280/.380/.459 with an .839 OPS, a career-high 24 home runs, 85 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 94 runs scored in 668 trips to the plate and 158 regular-season games. It landed him a three-year, $42 million deal in Atlanta, where he'll be their starting left fielder in 2025. Can Profar even come close to repeating that performance with the Braves? It's debatable, but his lack of speed and high-end power make him vulnerable, which is why he shouldn't be considered anything more than a No. 3 fantasy outfielder.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (wrist) was forced to exit early during Saturday's spring training contest. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative on Profar's jammed left wrist. Now, Profar will undergo an MRI to determine if there is any structural damage. The expectation was that Profar will platoon in left field to begin the season after signing a three-year deal with Atlanta over the offseason. The 32-year-old has put together an up-and-down career, but produced solid numbers with the San Diego Padres last season. If Profar does miss time, Jarred Kelenic figures to see regular playing time in left field rather than just a platoon option.
Jurickson Profar A Candidate To Hit Leadoff For Braves
The Athletic's David O'Brien mentions new outfielder Jurickson Profar as a candidate to hit leadoff for the Atlanta Braves early in 2025 while outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) continues his rehab from a torn ACL suffered last year. Profar isn't as fast as center fielder Michael Harris II, but he did have a .380 on-base percentage with the San Diego Padres during a breakout season. He also hit a career-high 24 home runs in 2024 and had a .367 OBP in 2023. If Atlanta uses Profar in the leadoff spot, he could stick there after Acuna returns, as the Braves have indicated Acuna will need rest days as he gets eased back in. In 83 plate appearances hitting leadoff in San Diego last year, Profar hit .380 with a .451 OBP and 1.071 OPS. Fantasy managers would be wise to expect regression from Profar, but hitting leadoff in Atlanta early on could help mitigate some of that risk. He's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 51 fantasy outfielder.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Atlanta Braves have signed outfielder Jurickson Profar. Last season, the 31-year-old posted a strong .280/.380/.459 line with 24 home runs and 10 doubles with the San Diego Padres. Under the hood, he generated a stellar .364 xwOBA and .282 xBA, placing him in the 92nd percentile in both statistics. In addition, he showed an elite eye at the plate with an 11.4% walk rate and 15.1% K rate, which were both significantly above the average marks. This was a nice improvement compared to the .242/.321/.368 line and nine home runs, he posted during the 2023 season. With superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) still recovering from a torn ACL and not expected to be ready for Opening Day, Profar will provide a much-needed reliable option in the outfield. Profar should see consistent starts in one of the corner outfield spots alongside Jarred Kelenic and Michael Harris II. Given his elite walk and strikeout rate, Profar carries higher value in points leagues but should still be reliable in category leagues, batting in the top half of a potent Atlanta lineup. UPDATE: Profar gets a three-year, $42 million deal from Atlanta.
Blue Jays Remain Interested In Pete Alonso And Jurickson Profar
According to Mark Feinsand of the MLB Network, the Toronto Blue Jays are still targeting top bats on the market, including first baseman Pete Alonso and outfielder Jurickson Profar. Earlier this week, the Blue Jays signed outfielder Anthony Santander to a hefty five-year $92 million contract. However, given that the team was willing to spend on Juan Soto, Feinsand believes the team remains at the top of free-agent discussions. Pete Alonso has been linked to Toronto throughout most of the winter, and given that the Mets have begun to pivot in another direction, Toronto may be the favorite. Profar has had several suitors, including the Braves, but Toronto is reportedly looking to improve their outfield further. Alonso would bring another high-upside power bat to their lineup, while Profar will bring 20+ HR upside with elite on-base skills.
San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar continued his career year in Tuesday's victory versus the Minnesota Twins. Profar went 1-for-4 on the evening, but his lone hit was a big one. In the bottom of the eighth inning with the Padres down two runs, Profar crushed a three-run home run to give San Diego the lead and eventually the victory. Profar was once one of the top prospects in the game, and although he has found success as a utilityman, he has never put together the season he has in 2024 as a regular. On the year, Profar is now hitting .290 with 20 homers, 76 RBI and seven stolen bases. As one of the waiver-wire gems of the 2024 season, Profar should continue to be rostered universally.
Jurickson Profar
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Braves
