LOS ANGELES -- Braves manager Brian Snitker had just finished his breakfast Monday morning, when he learned the team will spend the next three months without the suspended Jurickson Profar. Suddenly, losing four straight to begin the season wasn¡¯t the veteran skipper¡¯s chief concern.
¡°I spoke to the guys and I spoke to Jurickson this afternoon also,¡± Snitker said. ¡°We hate it for him, our club and our team. But Major League Baseball has their program and we honor that. It¡¯s just going to afford an opportunity for somebody else for 80 days.¡±
MLB announced Profar received the 80-game suspension after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a performance-enhancing substance that is in violation of Major League Baseball¡¯s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The suspension for the 32-year-old Profar, who signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves in January, will run through the end of June. Should the Braves qualify for the postseason this year, Profar will not be eligible to play.
Along with having to replace him in left field, the Braves will need to find someone else to fill the leadoff spot until Ronald Acu?a Jr. returns from injury. Stuart Fairchild, who was acquired from the Reds for cash on Monday morning, will team with Jarred Kelenic, Bryan De La Cruz and Michael Harris II to serve as the Braves outfielders for now. Alex Verdugo, who signed late in Spring Training, is still at least a few weeks from being ready. Acu?a likely won¡¯t return from knee surgery until May.
Braves players chose not to publicly voice any displeasure with Profar.
¡°It¡¯s unfortunate, but we¡¯ve got to play baseball,¡± Braves third baseman Austin Riley said. ¡°I¡¯m not going to harp on it. The Braves released something.¡±
The Braves released the following statement:
"We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Prevention and Treatment Program. We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience."
Profar hit a career-high 24 homers and constructed an .839 OPS for the Padres last year. The veteran went 3-for-15 and drew a walk during this year¡¯s season-opening four-game series in San Diego.
Profar issued a statement of his own through the MLB Players Association:
"Braves fans,
"Today is the most difficult day of my baseball career. I am devastated to announce that I have been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball and the Commissioner's Office, for testing positive for a banned substance this offseason. This is especially painful for me because anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game. There is nothing I love more than competing with my teammates and being a fan favorite.
"I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates, and the fans. It is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it. I have been tested my entire career, including eight times last season alone, and have never tested positive. I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB's decision.
"I am devastated that I won't be on the field with my teammates for the next 80 games. I look forward to competing again at the highest level this season upon my return."