The hits just keep on coming for the Atlanta Braves. The team just had to deal with a lost season that was brought on by injuries to a huge chunk of the roster, and they were already dealing with new injuries to Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep. Once Jurickson Profar's suspension became public, it honestly felt like Atlanta was unraveling before the season even started. As it turns out, Profar's suspension and the uncertainty around it are causing the Braves more problems than we thought.
The one silver lining from a Profar suspension is that the Braves would not have to pay him this season. Presumably, that would free some funds up to make additions elsewhere on the roster, with Lucas Giolito being a popular floated option.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that will be the case in the short-term. While it is true that Profar wouldn't be paid if he is suspended, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal seems to think that, despite being called "expedited", Profar's appeal could take weeks or even months, and that could give the Braves pause before any more spending.
The Braves will likely be reluctant to spend the money they're getting back because of Jurickson Profar's suspension until they have more clarity.@Ken_Rosenthal explains... pic.twitter.com/lQGeM1RpqU
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 9, 2026
Jurickson Profar's appeal is likely to be lengthy, and that is not good news for the Braves' ambitions to put his money to better use
Again, there is some uncertainty here. Rosenthal noted in that clip that Profar's "expedited" appeal will most likely take weeks, but he left the door open for it to even take a couple of months to resolve. The variable timeline likely has to do with uncertainties with Profar's case, and the amount of work is needed to prove or disprove the allegations against him.
Whatever the reason for the delay, it is not good news for Atlanta. There are going to be some fans that just want the Braves to spend either way, and that is fair, but the front office probably wants to know what sorts of luxury tax penalties they could incur with additional moves, and they will not know that until they know whether or not they have to pay Profar.
It is just the latest unfortunate twist the Braves are having to deal with. Their rotation plans look sketchy at the moment, and now their plans in left field and at designated hitter are up in the air. It is what it is at this point, and one hopes Profar never takes the field for the Braves again, assuming his suspension is legit. However, that doesn't mean there aren't more ways this situation could get worse, as the Braves are finding out.