For the Atlanta Braves, the signing of a proven veteran outfielder, Jurickson Profar, felt like a major win this past offseason, locking up a much-needed experienced outfield presence on a sizable contract. The expectations were naturally high for the former All-Star to deliver a jolt to the lineup. Especially with other roster questions looming. But what initially began there as renewed optimism was suddenly overshadowed by explosive news that rocked Braves Country.

On March 31, Major League Baseball announced Jurickson Profar’s suspension without pay for 80 games. This punishment was the result of a positive test for the hormone Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) during the offseason. That is banned in the league’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Within hours of the news breaking, Profar released his own public statement saying he was devastated. And it was important to note he never knowingly cheated, but he accepted full responsibility and the league’s decision.

The stunning development did not go unaddressed by the Atlanta Braves organization. They quickly took to their X account to let the public and fanbase know where they stand. “Statement from the Atlanta Braves:” the message said, adding, “We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive… We fully support the Program and are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience”. This official response, above all else, soon became a major point of discussion online.

This news was particularly conflictual because it came just months after the Braves made a big investment in Profar when they signed the outfielder to a three-year, $42 million contract in January. That deal followed Profar’s career-best 2024 season with the San Diego Padres.  And during the season, he belted 24 home runs, his first All-Star selection, and his first Silver Slugger award. He was acquired specifically for his offensive consistency and to solidify the outfield, so his sudden suspension is a significant setback to the team’s plans. And in a situation like this, the official expression of “surprise” from the Braves, however, did not sit well with many fans.

Jurickson Profar’s suspension fuels fan discontent

The reaction from Braves fans was overwhelmingly negative, and understandably so. The team was already struggling at the start of the 2025 season, sitting at a miserable 0-4 after being swept by the Padres. To make matters worse, they had scored just seven runs across those four games, including a painful 22-inning stretch without a single run. The Profar suspension felt like the proverbial nail in the coffin. For fans already frustrated with the team’s poor start, the loss of a key offseason acquisition was salt in the wound.

One fan perfectly captured the sentiment, stating: “0-4 start now this?” The frustration in that brief statement reflected a broader feeling of disbelief that things could get worse so quickly for the Braves, who were hoping to contend for a playoff spot after an already disappointing 2024 season.

As the news of Profar’s suspension spread, some fans resorted to dark humor, using sarcasm to cope with the unexpected blow. One tweet humorously asked: “Performance-enhancing? It obviously didn’t work as intended 😂.” This joke was a pointed commentary on Profar’s struggles during the opening series, where he posted a .188 batting average (3-for-16). While the substance that led to his suspension is often associated with helping athletes recover and perform better, it seemed almost ironic that Profar, after being signed to a big contract, was struggling so early in the season.

Profar’s move not to challenge the league’s ruling only fueled skepticism of his claims of innocence among some fans. “Not even talks about appeals? Oh man bro is guilty😭,” another comment read, speaking to such doubt. Now, while Profar has denied knowingly taking hCG, the rapid acceptance of the healthy 80-game suspension without any appeal seemed to many people online to be a silent admission, no matter what contributed to his decision-making.

Such frustration quickly had some fans calling for the Braves’ front office to make drastic roster moves right away. One fan demanded, “Release Profar and sign JD Martinez” for an immediate fix. This is a clear indication of wanting to just move on from the suspended outfielder and plug in a known power hitter like Martinez, who was still on the free-agent market and would provide an immediate offensive spark with Profar out for the long haul.

In the end, most of the online anger was directed at Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos over the situation. “Great job with that character judging Alex. You job as a GM so far this year is horrible,” one fan vented. Fans feel this isn’t the first time a major signing by Anthopoulos caused headaches. They remember the big contract for Marcell Ozuna, who later fell off to poor play and other problems. They might also recall the big check of Eddie Rosario after his playoff heroics, who struggled immensely thereafter. The Profar signing and immediate suspension are a reminder of these past deals that failed to meet expectations.

The Braves find themselves at a breaking point. Profar’s suspension isn’t just a blow to the roster—it’s a gut punch to the fans, the clubhouse, and the front office. The anger is real, and the frustration is boiling over. Will the Braves pivot and make an immediate roster move to fill the void? One thing is clear: the Braves can’t afford to stand still.