ATLANTA – Curaçaoan baseball star Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball (MLB) after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels. The hormone is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list. The suspension takes immediate effect.
Shock and Disappointment from the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves, Profar’s current team, reacted with shock and disappointment.
"We are extremely surprised and deeply disappointed," the organization said in a statement. "We hope that Jurickson learns from this experience."
Profar himself admitted that the suspension hit him hard and took full responsibility for the situation.
"This is the hardest day of my professional career," he said. "This is especially painful because everyone who knows me or has seen me play understands how deeply passionate I am about baseball. There’s nothing I love more."
Profar Accepts Decision but Denies Intentional Doping
The 32-year-old outfielder denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) but accepted the MLB’s decision. He also pointed out that he underwent eight negative drug tests during the previous season.
No Impact on the Dutch National Team
The Royal Netherlands Baseball and Softball Federation (KNBSB) expressed surprise over the suspension but stated its commitment to fair play.
"At KNBSB, we stand for clean and honest sports. We respect the MLB’s sanction," said technical director Peter Kwakernaak.
The KNBSB confirmed that the suspension will not affect Profar’s availability for the Dutch national team, which he has represented in multiple World Baseball Classic (WBC) tournaments. He is expected to return for the 2026 WBC.
Suspension Disrupts Profar’s Career at a Critical Moment
The suspension comes at a challenging time for Profar. He recently signed a three-year, €38 million contract with the Braves after a strong season with the San Diego Padres. In 2023, he made history as the eighth Dutch-born player to be selected for the MLB All-Star Game.
Profar is not the first Dutch passport holder to face a doping ban. In 2009, Aruban pitcher Sidney Ponson was caught using a banned appetite suppressant during the World Baseball Classic and was suspended for two years by the International Baseball Federation.
With the 80-game suspension, Profar will miss a significant portion of the season, dealing a major blow to both his team and his personal ambitions.