Jurickson Profar already caught the Braves off guard after testing positive for PED for the second consecutive time earlier this month. After his 80-game ban last time, he was sentenced to a full-season ban this year. The last hope was his appeal and MLBPA’s defense, but that appeal has now been denied, according to Jeff Passan. This, in turn, has enraged the fans

“Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar will miss the entire 2026 season after his appeal of a positive PED test was resolved. He will serve a 162-game suspension for testing positive a second time and will be ineligible for postseason play,” Passan shared via X.

Last year, after Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin, the Braves termed it as “unfortunate” and unintentional. Even Profar himself said he “didn’t take anything on purpose.” However, as he tested positive for the second time, the Braves didn’t hide their disappointment. “Disappointment, disbelief. … A lot of guys were stunned more than anything else,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said.

Still, the Braves fans had a belief that Profar’s appeal would reduce the ban. That now comes to an end. And guess what, as Profar is now out of MLB for the entire 2026, fans are asking him for early retirement.

The Braves last year managed Profar’s 80-game absence with several internal and external outfield options. Names like Stuart Fairchild and Jarred Kelenic were brought in and used to fill the gap. But now that the Braves are without Profar’s year of service, fans wonder how this will be handled. The Braves expected to get 2024-like numbers from Jurickson Profar.

His 24-homer, 134 OPS+ season in 2024 is his career best with the Padres. But in reality, the Braves lost him for a cool 80 games. This year is worse with a full 162-game ban. Only a challenge by the MLBPA could help the Braves. But as their appeal fell flat, the Braves are again in the same muddy water.

Now, with one more year left on Profar’s three-year deal with the Braves, fans are wondering if there’s any utility left. Playing just 80 games in two years despite Profar not being eligible for the salary in 2026 is a lost cause for the team. Thus, fans wonder why Profar would not get a stricter penalty that goes beyond a season-long ban.

Fans call for stricter penalty for Jurickson Profar

Why not a stricter penalty for a repeated offence, fans wonder. “Second positive… should penalties be even stricter at that point?” One fan asks. “He should be forced to pay back all of his salary as well,” another fan suggests.

Honestly, unintentional consumption of PED substance for the second time is suspectible. But fans wonder why not a harsher punishment. While, as per MLB rule, Profar is barred from playing this season, and he would have to let go of his 2026 salary, but what’s the loss to the Braves? The Braves invested $42 million in Profar for three years, of which two years are now lost. So, according to fans, Jurickson Profar deserves a harsher penalty.

“Just wondering, do the Braves have to pay his contract anyway after a second suspension? Could use that money to add something to the roster,” a fan remarked. “Hopefully the new CBA will include a way for teams to dissolve contracts completely for players who test positive,” another added.

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The current guaranteed contract concept of MLB guarantees a minimum salary to the players, even after penalties and a reduction in salary for the suspended season. For instance, Profar would still be eligible for his 2027 salary. So, according to fans, the next CBA should include a clause for writing off the entire contract of a player for testing PED.

Imagine the Braves could write off the entire $42 million of Profar and invest the same in roster development.

“Early retirement,” one fan added. Jurickson Profar is 33 now. So, he would return to MLB next year when he will be 34, with uncertainty around his form and PED risks. An early retirement could be a recommended step here, but that might bar Profar from his 2027 salary.

Nevertheless, Jurickson Profar might go down in Braves history as one of the biggest botched signings of all time.