Let’s be honest, when the news broke that Jurickson Profar was getting slapped with a 162-game suspension for a second PED violation, the vibe in Atlanta was… not great. Losing a switch-hitting veteran who was penciled in as your primary DH and a key middle-of-the-order bat usually isn’t how you want to start a championship run.
However, after Tuesday night’s gutsy 6-5 win and Wednesday’s 6-3 win over the Miami Marlins, it’s starting to look like that “catastrophe” might actually be a blessing in disguise. Sometimes, the baseball gods take away a projected starter only to give you something much more interesting.
Why the Profar Suspension Appears to be a Blessing in Disguise
The Dominic Smith Factor
Exhibit A: Dominic Smith. Before the suspension, Smith was a non-roster invitee just trying to find a seat on the bus. Now? He’s probably been the most clutch hitter on the team. He’s already hit a walk off grand slam earlier in the season and last night he hit a bases-clearing double in the 8th inning to secure a comeback win.
Without Profar’s roster spot locked up, the Atlanta Braves had to pivot. Smith, who signed a minor league deal in February, has stepped into that DH/bench role with a nothing-to-lose energy that can ignite a clubhouse. Instead of relying on a veteran whose performance was, let’s say, supplemented, the Braves are getting pure, high-leverage production from a guy playing for his career.
The $15 Million Flex
Let’s talk about the business side, because $15 million buys a lot of mid-season help. Because Profar is on the restricted list, the Braves aren’t on the hook for his 2026 salary.
In a year where the injury bug has already taken bites out of multiple key players, that extra cash is a massive insurance policy. Whether it’s at the trade deadline or picking up a veteran like Lucas Giolito who’s still looking for a home, Atlanta now has the financial flexibility to fix problems as they arise rather than being handcuffed to a three-year, $42 million deal that was already looking shaky.
A More Fluid Lineup
Manager Walt Weiss said the DH spot would be “fairly fluid” without Profar. In manager-speak, that’s actually a good thing. Instead of forcing Profar into the No. 2 or No. 5 spot every night, the Braves can now do things like give Ronald Acuna Jr. days at DH to keep his legs fresh. Drake Baldwin, the 2025 NL Rookie of the Year, can also be in the lineup every day even when he’s not behind the plate.
Not only that, but with Mike Yastrzemski taking over left field, the outfield defense is arguably more stable than it would have been with Profar rotating through.
The Verdict
The Braves are 12-7 going into this weekend’s action against the Philadelphia Phillies and just took down a division rival in dramatic fashion. The hole Profar left in the lineup has been filled by a mix of hungry role players and tactical flexibility.
Suspensions are never good in a vacuum, but for this specific Braves team? It cleared the air, saved a fortune in payroll, and paved the way for guys like Smith to become instant heroes. Smith specifically has made an immediate high-impact impression on the Braves, serving as a key X-factor. He made MLB history by hitting a walk-off grand slam in his team debut. He has provided crucial power, hitting multiple home runs and carrying an OPS over 1.000 early in the season. He has already become a fan favorite in Atlanta and is a key contributor to the team’s strong divison-leading start. Nobody truly seen this coming, but sometimes the best moves are the ones you’re forced to make.
Main Image: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
