Jurickson Profar DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar is being suspended for 80 games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, according to sources. Profar parlayed his career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024 into a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves in the offseason, but he played in only four games for the Braves to open the 2025 season before being hit with an 80-game PED suspension. It's a big blow for the Braves offense, especially with former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) not expected to make his debut until May after tearing his ACL in 2024. With Profar suspended, the Braves acquired Stuart Fairchild on Monday from the Reds to give them extra outfield depth. With Profar out for the foreseeable future, expect Bryan De La Cruz to see most of the playing time in left field in Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (wrist) is scheduled to return to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and play in the remainder of the spring games, according to The Athletic's David O'Brien. A bone bruise in his left wrist has kept Profar out of spring training games since March 8, but he's ready to return now and should be ready to go for Opening Day next Thursday, barring a setback this weekend. The 32-year-old has gone 2-for-12 with two doubles in six games so far this spring. While he should be ready, it will be interesting to see if his lack of spring action will hurt him early on at the plate in his first year in Atlanta after a breakout 2024 campaign with the San Diego Padres. Profar doesn't have elite speed or power, but he makes a lot of contact and has great plate discipline. He's just inside RotoBaller's top-40 outfield rankings.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (wrist) took batting practice on Sunday in camp, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. The Braves have Monday off and will be in Tampa on Wednesday night, so they may wait until Thursday to put Profar back in the Grapefruit League lineup. However, until then, he can get as many at-bats as he needs in minor-league games. Bowman says that Profar remains on track for Opening Day next Thursday. The Braves are being cautious with the 32-year-old after he sustained a bone bruise in his left wrist in spring training, but fantasy managers shouldn't need to worry that he won't be ready for the start of the regular season unless he suffers a setback once he resumes playing in games. After a breakout year in 2024 with the Padres, many fantasy managers are wondering if Profar can repeat it. He doesn't have great speed or power, but he's in an excellent lineup and is just inside RotoBaller's rankings as a top-40 outfielder.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (wrist) will undergo treatment and limit his on-field activities to standing in the box to track live pitches over the next few days in camp. Profar could be cleared to swing within the next few days, though. When asked about whether he'll be ready for Opening Day, he smiled and said, "very confident," MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports. While most fantasy managers are probably expecting the 32-year-old to take a step back after a career year in 2024 with the San Diego Padres that led to some MVP votes, he's still worth targeting as a No. 3/4 fantasy outfielder in upcoming drafts as long as he doesn't have any setbacks with his wrist once he resumes swinging. Profar doesn't have elite power or speed, but he makes plenty of contact, has great plate discipline and is guaranteed regular playing time in a strong Braves lineup.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar's (wrist) CT scan revealed that he's dealing with a bone in his left wrist, and the expectation is that he will be ready for Opening Day later this month, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. It's great news for the Braves and for any fantasy managers that may have selected Profar in drafts already after his career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024 in which he hit .280/.380/.459 with an .839 OPS, a career-high 24 home runs, 85 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 94 runs scored in 668 trips to the plate and 158 regular-season games. It landed him a three-year, $42 million deal in Atlanta, where he'll be their starting left fielder in 2025. Can Profar even come close to repeating that performance with the Braves? It's debatable, but his lack of speed and high-end power make him vulnerable, which is why he shouldn't be considered anything more than a No. 3 fantasy outfielder.