Latest news with #ChorionicGonadotrophin
CBC
08-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar gets 80-game ban for PED violation
Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games without pay for performance-enhancing drug use. Major League Baseball announced Monday that Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) in violation of the league's joint drug prevention and treatment program. The suspension of Profar is effective immediately. Barring postponed games, Profar would be eligible to return June 29 against Philadelphia and would lose $5,806,440 of his $12 million US salary. He is also ineligible for the post-season. Profar called it the "most difficult day of my baseball career" and said he would never knowingly cheat. "This is especially painful for me because anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game," he said in a statement. "There is nothing I love more than competing with my teammates and being a fan favourite. 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." The 32-year-old Profar was an all-star and won a Silver Slugger last season when he batted .280 and set career highs with 24 homers and 85 runs batted in for San Diego. He then signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Atlanta in the off-season. Profar is the fourth player who has been suspended this year for violating the performance-enhancing substance policy, with the others coming under the minor league program and the program for minor leaguers assigned outside the United States and Canada. Two players were suspended last year under the major league drug program. Noelvi Marte, a 22-year-old infielder who was considered Cincinnati's top prospect, missed the first 80 games following a positive test for boldenone. Toronto infielder Orelvis Martinez was suspended for 80 games on June 23 following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug clomiphene, an announcement made two days after his major league debut.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
In light of Jurickson Profar's PED suspension, where do the outfielder and the Braves go from here?
In light of Jurickson Profar's PED suspension, where do the outfielder and the Braves go from here? Major League Baseball has issued an 80-game suspension to Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, the league announced Monday. The 32-year-old left fielder tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone typically involved in fertility and the production of testosterone. It's crushing news for both Profar and the Braves, who commenced their 2025 season with four punchless losses to the San Diego Padres, Profar's former team. Universally considered the sport's top prospect upon his debut with the Texas Rangers in 2012, Profar never lived up to the hype as a franchise-changing force. Instead, he settled into a career as a middling offensive player with useful defensive versatility. As he aged, however, he stopped moving around the diamond and became an every-day left fielder. Advertisement Heading into 2024, the Curacaoan inked a one-year deal with the Padres that included just $1 million guaranteed. Profar then went on to deliver a career year, in which he smashed 24 home runs, started the All-Star Game in left field, won a Silver Slugger and finished the season as the seventh-most valuable outfielder in MLB by fWAR. That eyebrow-raising season earned him a hefty raise this past winter from the Braves, who handed Profar a three-year deal worth $42 million. Then Atlanta's biggest offseason acquisition appeared in just four games before the lawman came calling. Profar will be suspended, without pay, until early June. He will also be forbidden from appearing in any playoff games, should the Braves reach the 2025 postseason. Frankly, it's difficult, given the timing, not to connect the dots between Profar's PED suspension and his outlier 2024 season. He had always showcased strong swing decisions, but his batted-ball data took a massive leap last year. In fact, among qualified hitters, Profar had the single largest year-over-year jump in hard-hit percentage and average exit velocity, according to Statcast. Advertisement Unfortunately, given the news of his positive test, that improvement now looks incredibly suspect. Profar is the first MLB player to be suspended this season, though steroid use remains an issue beneath the surface both in the minor leagues and in the international amateur market. Only two big leaguers, Cincinnati's Noelvi Marte and Toronto's Orelvis Martinez, received PED suspensions in 2024, and the number has steadily declined since a formalized testing program was implemented in February 2004. Still, whispers and accusations remain around the game — in clubhouses, in press boxes and in front offices. Part of that is unavoidable and expected, considering the dark pock that marked MLB in the late '90s and early 2000s. At the same time, there's a general sense that PED use is far from a dead issue, as evidenced by the handful of suspensions handed down each season. Advertisement Profar, like the other confirmed users before him, will now face an extended period away from the game. Players with PED suspensions have, in this current era, often grown to outlive the blot that accompanies this type of transgression. Nelson Cruz, for instance, was suspended in his late 20s and became a beloved veteran of the game a decade later. He now works as a special advisor for MLB. And Fernando Tatis Jr., Profar's former teammate, has seen a general refurbishment of his reputation since his shocking suspension in the summer of 2022. How Profar is thought of both within and beyond clubhouses going forward will depend on how he chooses to handle his punishment and whether he ever tests positive again. For the Braves, this news represents yet another gut punch in a young season full of knockout blows. Atlanta's offense was missing in action during its season-opening 'mop' loss at Petco Park. The unit managed to score seven total runs across four games and begins this week's series against the Dodgers on a 22-inning scoreless streak. Advertisement Atlanta entered the season with 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. on the injured list, still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered last season. The Venezuelan superstar is expected back around late May, which, combined with the loss of Profar, leaves the Braves quite undermanned in the grass in the meantime. Michael Harris II will continue to hold down center field, but Atlanta seems primed to roll with a Jarred Kelenic-Bryan De La Cruz platoon in right until Acuña returns. As for the void left by Profar's suspension, the likeliest medium-term solution looks to be Alex Verdugo. The 28-year-old was the every-day left fielder for the AL pennant-winning Yankees last year, though he was heavily criticized for an underwhelming offensive season. He remains a stellar defender in left, but teams around MLB were clearly concerned enough about his bat that despite being one of the youngest offensive players available, Verdugo settled for a one-year, $1.5 million deal in March. Fortunately for the gregarious Arizonan, he now has a clear path back to big-league playing time.
Chicago Tribune
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Atlanta Braves' Jurickson Profar gets an 80-game suspension for PED use and is ineligible for the postseason
NEW YORK — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games without pay for performance-enhancing drug use. Major League Baseball announced Monday that Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) in violation of the joint drug prevention and treatment program. Profar's suspension is effective immediately. Barring postponed games, he would be eligible to return June 29 against the Philadelphia Phillies and would lose $5,806,440 of his $12 million salary. He is also ineligible for the postseason. Profar called it the 'most difficult day of my baseball career' and said he would never knowingly cheat. 'This is especially painful for me because anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game,' he said in a statement. '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.' The 32-year-old Profar was an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger award last season, when he batted .280 and set career highs with 24 homers and 85 RBIs for the San Diego Padres. He signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves in the offseason. Profar is the fourth player suspended this year for violating the performance-enhancing substance policy, with the others coming under the minor-league program and the program for minor-leaguers assigned outside the United States and Canada. Two players were suspended last year under the major-league drug program. Noelvi Marté, a 22-year-old infielder who was considered the Cincinnati Reds' top prospect, missed the first 80 games after a positive test for boldenone. Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martínez was suspended for 80 games on June 23 after a positive test for clomiphene, an announcement made two days after his major-league debut.
The Guardian
31-03-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Braves' Profar banned 80 games and loses $5.8m in salary for PED use
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games without pay for performance-enhancing drug use. Major League Baseball announced on Monday that Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) in violation of the league's joint drug prevention and treatment program. HCG is typically used as a fertility treatment for women but can be used to increase testosterone in men after they have stopped using steroids. Manny Ramirez was banned for 50 games in 2009 after using the drug. The suspension of Profar is effective immediately. Barring postponed games, Profar would be eligible to return on 29 June against Philadelphia and would lose $5.8m of his $12m salary. He is also ineligible for the postseason. The ban means the Braves are shorthanded in outfield with Ronald Acuña Jr still recovering from injury. Profar called it the 'most difficult day of my baseball career' and said he would never knowingly cheat. 'This is especially painful for me because anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game,' he said in a statement. '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.' The 32-year-old Profar was an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger last season when he batted .280 and set career highs with 24 homers and 85 RBIs for San Diego. He then signed a three-year, $42m contract with the Braves in the offseason.
Forbes
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Atlanta Braves' Jurickson Profar Suspended By Major League Baseball
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Jurickson Profar #7 of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the ... More first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on March 30, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by) Major League Baseball has suspended Atlanta Braves outfielder, Jurickson Profar, for 80 games. The switch-hitting Profar, 32, has been suspended by MLB after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), which is a performance enhancing substance. Major League Baseball has strict policies regarding the use of performance enhancing substances. Illegal substance testing of players is ongoing and continuous in the sport. This old scout was shocked, as the following email was sent by MLB Monday afternoon, March 31. 'The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a performance enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension of Profar is effective immediately.' One would be naive to believe performance enhancing substances have been completely removed from professional sports. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: A detailed view of the batting gloves of Jurickson Profar #7 of ... More the Atlanta Braves before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on March 30, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by) Quite simply, there is so much at stake for a professional athlete, the temptation to try to enhance one's performance may be overwhelming to some. There are only 26 positions on a Major League Baseball roster. There are only 30 Major League Baseball teams. That means only 780 individuals are on major league rosters on any given day. Yes, the number of major league players a bit more than 780, as there are players on the MLB Injured List. The point is this; every professional sports team has competition for every sacred roster spot. There is a great deal at stake for every professional athlete. The money paid to professional athletes is getting better and better every year. Young men and women who may never have an opportunity to experience the type of income provided by professional sports may be willing to take incredible risks to protect that income. The career lengths of professional players/athletes is limited by age, health, and of course, skill. But the use of performance enhancing substances by professional athletes is also a selfish act. In the case of Jurickson Profar, his Braves teammates are now without his skills for 80 games, as Profar was the starting left fielder and leadoff hitter for the Braves, as recently as Sunday, March 30. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Jurickson Profar #10 of the San Diego Padres walks across the ... More field in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Two of the Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) Last season, Profar was an All Star. Profar played for the San Diego Padres, where he hit .280/.380/.459/.839, with 29 doubles, 24 home runs, 85 RBIs, and 10 steals in 13 attempts in 668 plate appearances. Profar signed a three-year, $42 million free agent contract this offseason with the Braves. This old scout feels nothing but sadness. Sadness for his teammates. Sadness for the game of baseball. And yes, sadness for Jurickson Profar, who has made an egregious error of judgement. Jurickson Profar is paying dearly for the risks he chose to take.
