Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the past year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Profar, 33, would be the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary and will be ineligible for the postseason. Profar also will be ineligible for the upcoming World Baseball Classic, where he was set to represent the Netherlands, whose team includes players from his native Curacao.
According to multiple reports, he intends to ask MLB’s players’ union to file a grievance to baseball’s independent arbitrator, Martin F. Scheinman, to appeal any discipline.