Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games without pay for performance-enhancing drug use.
Major League Baseball announced on Monday that Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) in violation of the league’s joint drug prevention and treatment program.
HCG is typically used as a fertility treatment for women but can be used as a masking agent to increase testosterone in men after they have stopped using steroids. Manny Ramirez was banned for 50 games in 2009 after using the drug.
The suspension of Profar is effective immediately. Barring postponed games, Profar would be eligible to return on 29 June against Philadelphia and would lose $5.8m of his $12m salary. He is also ineligible for the postseason. The ban means the Braves are shorthanded in outfield with Ronald Acuña Jr still recovering from injury.
Profar called it the “most difficult day of my baseball career” and said he would never knowingly cheat.
“This is especially painful for me because anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game,” he said in a statement. “There is nothing I love more than competing with my teammates and being a fan favorite. I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates and the fans.
“It is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it. I have been tested my entire career, including eight times last season alone, and have never tested positive. I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”
The 32-year-old Profar was an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger last season when he batted .280 and set career highs with 24 homers and 85 RBIs for San Diego. He then signed a three-year, $42m contract with the Braves in the offseason.
