Atlanta Braves’ Jurickson Profar Suspended By Major League Baseball

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.

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.

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.