(Photo credit: Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games without pay for violating MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The suspension takes effect immediately.

Profar, 32, tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), according to MLB's Office of the Commissioner. According to the Mayo Clinic, Chorionic Gonadotrophin is a hormone used as a fertility medicine to develop eggs in women who have been unable to become pregnant.

After last year's breakout season with the San Diego Padres, Profar signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves in January.

'We were surprised and extremely disappointed to learn that Jurickson Profar tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,' the Braves said in a statement Monday. 'We fully support the Program are hopeful that Jurickson will learn from this experience.'

Profar released his own statement Monday calling it 'the most difficult day of' his career.

'I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates and the fans,' Profar said. '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.'

Profar is coming off a stellar season with .280 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs -- all career highs -- in 158 games for the Padres. He also set career bests of 94 runs and 158 hits while earning his first All-Star nod.

San Diego signed a largely unwanted Profar after the start of 2024 spring training when it needed a left fielder.

Profar twice hit 20 homers earlier this career -- in 2018 for the Texas Rangers and 2019 for the Oakland Athletics.

Profar has a .245 career average with 111 homers and 444 RBIs in 1,123 games with the Texas Rangers (2012-13, 2016-18), Oakland Athletics (2019), Padres (2020-22, 23-24), Colorado Rockies (2023) and Braves.

The native of Curacao is 3 for 15 with a walk and three strikeouts in four games for the Braves this season.

--Field Level Media