Just days into March, the Atlanta Braves have been dealt another significant setback. Outfielder Jurickson Profar has tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the second time in his career according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. As a repeat offender, Profar now faces a suspension for the entirety of the 162-game season, delivering a substantial blow to the organization’s depth and overall outlook heading into the year.
Jurickson Profar received the largest contract of his career last winter, signing a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves. However, he did not make it through even a full week of the 2025 regular season before being sidelined to serve an 81-game suspension stemming from his first positive test for performance-enhancing drugs.
This latest misstep places significant pressure on president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos to identify a reliable replacement, while bench coach Walt Weiss must now reassess how to structure the club’s everyday lineup moving forward.
BREAKING: Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time, sources told ESPN. News free at ESPN: https://t.co/Od2Cht2QUO
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 3, 2026
Abscense of Jurickson Profar limits Atlanta's lineup flexibility, creates more pressure for other guys to step up
Although spring training is only a few weeks underway, first-year manager Walt Weiss had already unveiled several lineup combinations that appeared to be under consideration for Opening Day. Those plans will now have to be reworked, as Jurickson Profar’s suspension leaves a significant void in the middle of the Atlanta Braves’ lineup and forces the club back to the drawing board.
With Profar unavailable, the Braves suddenly have a significant number of at-bats to redistribute between left field and designated hitter. Spring training standout Mike Yastrzemski is expected to see regular time in left field, though that was already part of the club’s plan.
Unless the Braves reinvest the roughly $15 million saved from Profar’s salary into another impact bat (good luck finding one), identifying a reliable platoon partner for Yastrzemski on a nightly basis could prove to be a considerable challenge.
As the season begins, Yastrzemski is expected to draw the majority of starts when the opposition sends a right-hander to the mound. Against left-handed pitching, however, the Braves will likely turn to a mix of Eli White, Jorge Mateo, and Jonah Heim to help fill the void.
Given the current roster construction, one of those options may also be required to handle designated hitter duties in the early portion of the season. With that in mind, here’s a projection of how Atlanta’s lineup could look to open the year.
- RF – Ronald Acuna Jr.
- C – Drake Baldwin
- 1B – Matt Olson
- 3B – Austin Riley
- LF/DH – Mike Yastrzemski
- 2B – Ozzie Albies
- CF – Michael Harris II
- SS – Mauricio Dubon
- DH – Jonah Heim / Jorge Mateo / Eli White
Against left-handed pitching, that lineup could certainly be adjusted, potentially elevating Ozzie Albies in the order, along with either Mauricio Dubon or Jonah Heim, both of whom have demonstrated favorable splits versus left-handed arms.
Fortunately, concerns surrounding the bottom half of the lineup may be temporary. The anticipated returns of Ha-Seong Kim and Sean Murphy in May could provide a significant boost and help restore greater balance and depth to the order. Once both regulars are back in the fold, here is a projection of how Atlanta’s lineup could look at full strength (minus Profar).
- RF – Ronald Acuna Jr.
- C/DH – Drake Baldwin
- 1B – Matt Olson
- 3B – Austin Riley
- LF/DH – Mike Yastrzemski
- 2B – Ozzie Albies
- C/DH – Sean Murphy
- CF – Michael Harris II
- SS/DH – Ha-Seong Kim / Mauricio Dubon
The current projection envisions Mike Yastrzemski starting in left field against right-handed pitching, with Drake Baldwin, Sean Murphy, Ha-Seong Kim, and Mauricio Dubon rotating to cover the catcher, shortstop, and designated hitter positions as needed.
Conversely, against left-handed pitching, Dubon could be shifted to left field, Kim would take over at shortstop, and Baldwin and Murphy would share responsibilities behind the plate and at the DH spot.
Profar's suspension represents a significant early-season challenge for the Atlanta Braves, forcing adjustments across multiple positions and reshaping lineup strategies. While the absence of a key bat creates immediate obstacles, the depth of the roster—combined with the anticipated returns of Kim and Murphy—offers a path to stability and balance. If Atlanta can navigate the early season effectively, the team still has the potential to remain competitive and contend at full strength once its core lineup is restored.