The Atlanta Braves were notified earlier in the week that Jurickson Profar would be suspended again due to PED use. The 2024 Silver Slugger was hit with his second suspension for that reason and will now have to sit out the entire 2026 season without pay.
“Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary,” Jeff Passan wrote.
The Braves are going to have to make a move to add another outfielder and another bat to the lineup. Andrew McCutchenwas a name to watch.
“One option that makes sense is Andrew McCutchen, who seems primed to leave the Pittsburgh Pirates. At 39, he is not the same player he once was. He’s coming off a season in which he hit .239/.333/.367 with a .700 OPS, 13 home runs and 57 RBI. It is clear that he wants to continue playing and sticking in the National League, and having an opportunity to compete against the Pirates after an ugly offseason breakup would surely appeal to him,” FanSided’s Robert Murray wrote.
On Thursday morning, it was revealed that the Braves would not be signing the veteran, as the Texas Rangers instead reached an agreement with him.
“Pirates great Andrew McCutchen finds a home with the Texas Rangers, who are signing him to a one-year contract, per Evan Grant,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today posted.
With McCutchen off the board, the Braves are left with fewer options at designated hitter or in the outfield. Atlanta may now find itself in a difficult situation as the available options continue to thin, unless Profar somehow wins his appeal.
The Braves could be in a tough spot before the season even begins if they cannot make a move using Profar’s $15 million. Atlanta still has a deep roster, but adding another pitcher or outfielder certainly wouldn’t hurt.
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