Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

2024 MLB All-Star Suspended 80 Games For PEDs

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 8:27 PM ET

A 2024 National League All-Star team selection has been suspended 80 game for performance-enhancing drugs.

Major League Baseball announced Monday evening that Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a violation of the sport's rules against PEDs. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the drug is a "hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy."

"Parenteral administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates the production of testosterone in males and these gonadotropins can therefore be used by athletes to enhance muscle strength," said the National Library of Medicine.

Profar, who enjoyed a career-year for the San Diego Padres in 2024, is in the first year of a three-year, $42 million deal with Atlanta.

"We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Prevention and Treatment Program," the Braves said in a statement. "We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience."

SAN DIEGO, CA - AUGUST 25: Jurickson Profar #10 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets August 25, 2024 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)Denis Poroy/Getty Images

In four games so far this season, Profar has started in left field and is 3-for-15 with a walk and two RBI in 16 plate appearances.

Last year, the 32-year-old, who has played all over the diamond throughout his 12-year MLB career, slugged 24 home runs and drove in 85 runs while slashing .280/.380/.459 and scoring 94 runs.

With Profar now suspended, the Braves have four outfielders still on their roster: Bryan De La Cruz, Michael Harris II, Eli White and Jarred Kelenic.

Atlanta also acquired veteran Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday and have another experienced outfielder, Alex Verdugo, preparing for action after spending most of the spring unsigned.

The Braves suffered a four-game sweep at the hands of Profar's former team, the Padres, over the weekend. They'll look for their first win of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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