Jurickson Profar’s future in Atlanta suddenly looks a lot less settled than most Braves fans probably expected.
After a second suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, the idea of Profar wearing a Braves uniform again feels hard to picture. But according to Jesús Cano of The Athletic, that possibility is still very much alive. In his latest look at the Braves’ offseason, Cano said his read is that Atlanta could bring Profar back next season, even if there’s understandable hesitation around the situation.
That’s a jarring turn given where things stood before the latest suspension. There had already been calls for the Braves to move on from Profar after his first PED suspension, but the club gave him another shot with the clubhouse’s blessing. Now, after a second violation, many around the team had assumed his time in Atlanta was over.
Cano’s reporting adds another layer to the conversation because he also noted how a switch-hitter with Profar’s profile could help offset the departures of free agents Lane Thomas and Dom Smith. He also included a quote from Braves hitting coach Tim Hyers that paints a picture of what Profar can bring at the plate.
Hyers said, “He’s just fairly consistent on both sides of the plate. He sees the ball.
He’s going to give you a competitive at-bat, swings at good pitches and does a good job of game planning.”
That kind of praise is notable, especially with the timing of the second suspension hanging over everything.
Still, the optics are ugly. Braves beat writer Mark Bowman had previously sounded convinced Profar would not be back, and that still feels like the safer bet based on how the situation looks from the outside. There has also been no public remorse from Profar in 2026, which only makes the whole thing harder to defend.
Cano pointed out that if Profar were to return and actually produce, he could help solve a real problem for Atlanta. Left field has been an issue for years, and the Braves have been searching for a stable answer there.
But the baseball fit is only part of the equation. The bigger issue is what bringing Profar back would say about the organization.
The Braves have already drawn scrutiny for their handling of Marcell Ozuna and his legal problems while also stressing the importance of character in the clubhouse. Allowing Profar to come back after a second PED suspension would make that message look awfully shaky.
There’s also the financial side of it. Atlanta would be staring at $15 million owed to Profar next year, and walking away from that kind of money is never simple.
But the argument here is that the Braves may have to absorb that loss anyway. The risk of running it back with Profar - both on and off the field - is too high to ignore.
In Other News...
Braves Face A Real Tyler Mahle Test This Winter
Tyler Mahle made a strong impression after arriving in Atlanta midseason in 2026, giving the Braves exactly the kind of rotation help they needed down the stretch. His run with the club was encouraging enough that his name is already surfacing as a possible fit again, with several major publications projecting a free-agent price tag that could land in a range Atlanta can realistically consider if it wants to address its starting pitching depth.
For the Braves, that makes this winter more than a routine shopping season. Mahle is the kind of arm who can move from useful addition to serious target if the market stays manageable, but those early contract estimates are still just that, estimates. The real question is whether Atlanta decides to press its advantage and try to bring back a pitcher who fit quickly, or whether the bidding climbs beyond what seemed possible when the offseason started. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Rotation Questions Put One Pitching Link Under The Microscope
The Braves rotation questions have kept the front office in the rumor lane, and a new report from Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution offered a little more clarity on where the clubs interest actually stood around the August trade deadline. Atlanta was linked to free agent pitchers Casey Mize and Nick Pivetta, which fit the broader search for starting help, but the picture was less dramatic than the chatter suggested.
Burns reported that the interest in Mize was overstated, while Atlantas look at Pivetta came with real caution because of his health history. Injuries have been part of the conversation around Pivetta, and that kind of uncertainty can matter as much as performance when a team is weighing rotation options. For now, there have been no substantial rumors or confirmed moves, but the Braves need for pitching depth still leaves plenty of room for the next update to matter. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Offseason Bat Search Suddenly Looks More Realistic
The Braves search for a bat this offseason got a little more interesting with ESPN analyst Kiley McDaniel floating two outfield names who could land in the same general price range before the 2027 season. Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki both come with the kind of offensive track records that would make them worth a look for Atlanta, and Suzuki in particular may fit cleaner on defense, which matters for a club trying to balance lineup help with roster fit.
There is a catch, of course, and it is the kind that can shape how aggressive a team really gets in free agency. Both players are tied to qualifying offers, which can complicate the bidding process, and Arozarenas camp may not make him the easiest target for Atlanta to chase. For a Braves front office still weighing how to add impact without creating extra headaches, those details could end up mattering almost as much as the bats themselves. [Read more 🡒]