Jurickson Profar & Walt Weiss (Photos by Imagn Images)

Walt Weiss Breaks Silence On Jurickson Profar’s Disappointing Suspension

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated Mar 5, 2026 2:14 AM ET

The Atlanta Braves took a massive blow ahead of the 2026 season after MLB handed Jurickson Profar a 162-game suspension for a second failed PED test. Profar received an 80-game ban at the start of the 2025 campaign for the same offense. The Braves outfielder will appeal against the punishment in collaboration with the MLB Players’ Association.

Walt Weiss, the Atlanta Braves manager, revealed he learned about the suspension for Jurickson Profar just a few minutes before it became public. Weiss is disappointed by the predicament, yet he does not want to focus on its emotional side. The Braves skipper wants to stay focused on preparing the team for spring training and the upcoming season.

“Obviously disappointed. Found out about 10 minutes before it got announced—maybe five minutes. So, I’m still processing a lot of this,” Weiss told reporters at the Braves camp in North Port, Florida, on Tuesday. “It doesn’t change anything we do here. We’re getting ready for our season. And it doesn’t change anything about our camp.

Walt Weiss on Profar’s suspension pic.twitter.com/8WiOYG2uRR
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 4, 2026

“There are a lot of unknowns right now. We know that there’s a suspension, but we also know there is an appeals process,” he added. “I understand you’ve got to ask these questions, and people want information. I get that. But I’m not going to get into the emotions of it. As the guy that’s leading this group, I’ve got to stay on track.”

Weiss is taking charge of his first spring training camp as the Braves manager following his promotion to the role in November. The 62-year-old has served as Brian Snitker’s bench coach since 2018.

Walt Weiss Confident Braves Clubhouse Will Not Get Distracted by Jurickson Profar Ban

Jurickson Profar (Image Credits: Imagn)

During his interview, Walt Weiss reflected on the distinct possibility of losing Jurickson Profar for the entire 2026 season after failing a PED test in successive offseasons. Weiss is confident about the Atlanta Braves’ clubhouse showing strong character to avoid the distraction and continue their focus on preparing for the upcoming campaign.

“My message is all about dealing with distractions,” he said. “We need grown men in this room that will not give in to these distractions of a major league season—whether it’s this or something else coming down the pike in a week or two or a month.”

Jurickson Profar is an excellent candidate for the Mount Rushmore of Baseball Cheats. If he had any integrity he’d return the half year of pay he got last year. https://t.co/vegHMmNKir
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 4, 2026

Jurickson Profar joined the Braves on a three-year, $42 million contract last winter after a career-best 2024 campaign. Although he started the 2025 season, the 33-year-old sat out for 80 games before returning to the team in July. If he loses his appeal, Jurickson Profar will once again serve his ban without pay. Therefore, he might forfeit over $18 million of his wages from the Braves.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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