Braves' Jurickson Profar: Will bat second upon return
Rotowire
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker indicated Tuesday that Profar will be slotted into the No. 2 spot in the lineup upon his return from an 80-game PED suspension July 2, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Profar will begin playing minor-league contests with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday and is expected to play all nine innings in every game he plays over the next two weeks, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. It's fair to question how productive Profar will be as he comes back from a PED suspension, but his situation and upside warrant him being stashed in most fantasy leagues where he's available.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Jurickson Profar: Two hits to kick off rehab stint
Rotowire
Profar (suspension) went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old outfielder has missed most of the season so far due to an 80-game PED suspension, but Profar began a rehab assignment Tuesday and didn't show any rust. He's eligible to be reinstated July 2, and he should immediately slot back in as Atlanta's starting left fielder and two-hole hitter.
Profar (suspension) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Profar will get some at-bats at Gwinnett for the next two weeks before being reinstated from his 80-game PED suspension July 2. Atlanta has struggled to get production from its left-field position, so Profar should immediately slide back into a starting job once he returns to the active roster.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Jurickson Profar: Taking live BP
Rotowire
Profar (suspension) has begin taking live batting practice at Atlanta's spring training complex in North Port, David O'Brien of the Athletic reports.
Slapped with an 80-game PED suspension four games into the season, Profar has yet to give Atlanta much of a return on the three-year, $42 million contract he signed with the club this winter. He's eligible to rejoin the 26-man roster July 2 and can begin playing in minor-league games Tuesday, and given the miserable production the team has gotten in left field in his absence, Profar should immediately jump into the starting lineup upon his return. He'll be ineligible for postseason action this year, however, so if the NL East squad makes a push up the standings before the trade deadline -- Atlanta is currently 14 games back of the Mets for the division lead, and eight games out of the final wild-card spot -- the 32-year-old could get some real competition for playing time down the stretch.
Braves' Jurickson Profar: Suspended 80 games for PEDs
Rotowire
Major League Baseball suspended Profar for 80 games Monday for violating the performance-enhancing drug policy, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Profar is in the first year of a three-year, $42 million contract he signed with Atlanta after a career-best 2024 season in which he slashed .280/.380/.459 with 24 home runs, 85 RBI and 10 stolen bases as a member of the Padres. He won't be eligible to return to action until late June, leaving fantasy managers with little choice but to drop him. Atlanta will attempt to get by with Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz, Eli White and Stuart Fairchild on their outfield corners for now, although Alex Verdugo should arrive soon and Ronald Acuna (knee) is expected back from the injured list by early-to-mid-May.
Braves' Jurickson Profar: Looks healthy in leadoff spot
Rotowire
Profar went 2-for-4 with a double in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
Seeing his first Grapefruit League action since March 8 after recovering from a wrist injury, Profar slotted immediately back into the leadoff spot and wasted no time showing he was healthy by rapping a first-inning two-bagger off Nabil Crismatt. After a breakout 2024 campaign with the Padres, the switch-hitting Profar signed a three-year contract with Atlanta over the winter and should slot in atop a potent batting order for at least the early part of the season, until Ronald Acuna (knee) is ready to rejoin the lineup.
Braves' Jurickson Profar: Slated to return to action Thursday
Rotowire
Profar (wrist) is scheduled to return to Atlanta's Grapefruit League lineup Thursday versus the Phillies, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Profar hasn't played since March 8 due to a bone bruise in his left wrist, but he resumed taking batting practice this week and will return to game action Thursday. The 32-year-old is slated to play in the rest of Atlanta's Grapefruit League contests as he gears up for Opening Day.
