The Atlanta Braves have not lived up to expectations this season. The team is 13 games back of the division lead and 7 1/2 games out of a wild card spot going into play on Tuesday.
However, they still have time to turn things around. They have Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider back, and are about to get their big free agent acquisition back as well. Jurickson Profar is starting a rehab assignment following his 80-game PED suspension.
“Braves OF Jurickson Profar begins a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett tonight,” The Athletic’s David O’Brien wrote on X. “He’s eligible to return from his 80-game PED suspension on July 2.”
Profar was an All-Star last season and won a Silver Slugger as well. He was suspended after playing just four games with the Braves before his suspension. The Braves gave him a three-year, $42 million deal in free agency. His suspension will keep him from participating in the postseason, but he could still play a big role in getting the Braves to the postseason.
The Braves have plenty of talented players and have the opportunity to turn things around and gain some ground in the wild card race. Alex Verdugo has played the most in left field for the Braves this year. Verdugo is hitting .255 with a .631 OPS. He could go to the bench to allow Profar to get at-bats.
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Profar has a career slash line of .245/.331/.394 with 11 home runs. He was unable to make any real contributions to the team before his suspension. However, if he can build on his career year, he could play a huge role in the Braves making a postseason push. The Braves will need to be smart with his at-bats since he cannot play in October, and they need to keep their other outfielders in the mix.
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