Most Atlanta Braves fans just assumed that Jurickson Profar had already played his last game with the team. There were already calls for the Braves to move on from Profar after his first PED suspension, but Atlanta gave him another chance with the clubhouse's blessing. After a SECOND suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, letting Profar wear the Braves' uniform again seems unthinkable. However, that is exactly what might happen.
In a column for The Athletic from Braves beat writer Jesus Cano, he devotes a section to Profar's future with the team. It is a great read, and he raises important points about how a switch-hitter with Profar's former profile would address the loss of free agents Lane Thomas AND Dom Smith, and also includes a fascinating quote on Profar from Braves hitting coach Tim Hyers (more on that in a bit).
However, Cano also shared his read on this whole mess is that, while there might be some apprehension, he expects the Braves to welcome Profar back next season.
What questions about their offense will the Braves answer this offseason? Here are some thoughts.
— Jesús Cano (@Jesus_Cano88) November 5, 2026
Also, some intel about Jurickson Profar ⬇️https://t.co/vJB84d5Th2
Braves beat writer Jesus Cano thinks Jurickson Profar will return to the Braves, but that would be a massive unforced error
At this point, we don't know what the Braves' intentions with Profar are, nor do we know if Profar has been keeping himself in shape enough to be a viable MLB player. Earlier this offseason, Braves beat writer Mark Bowman seemed to strongly believe that Profar would not be returning. Based on the optics and the lack of anything resembling public remorse from Profar in 2026, that still feels like the smart bet.
Cano goes on to explain that if Profar returns and can be productive, he would help with what is a real lineup and performance problem that has plagued the Braves in left field for years. He added a quote from Hyers, who said of Profar, "He’s just fairly consistent on both sides of the plate. He sees the ball. He’s going to give you a competitive at-bat, swings at good pitches and does a good job of game planning.” Depending on the timing of that quote, those are some eyebrow-raising comments about a guy that just got caught cheating for the second season in a row.
If the Braves let Profar come back, it would be a failure of the highest order. The Braves already took a very questionable stance with Marcell Ozuna and his legal problems, while preaching about the importance of character to the team and the clubhouse. How could the Braves take that stance with any credibility if they allowed Profar to suit up again? How could they possibly trust that Profar would even finish the 2027 season without getting suspended again?!
One can understand the Braves' dilemma. It is easy for all of us to say Atlanta should just write off the $15 million owed to Profar next year as a sunk cost, but that is still a lot of money to give a guy who might end up signing with a competitor afterwards. That said, it is a risk the Braves have to take, for baseball and non-baseball reasons.
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