Jurickson Profar, a former teammate of Kim Ha-seong, has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a banned substance during his first year under a massive free-agent contract.

Major League Baseball's official website, MLB.com, reported on the 1st (Korea time) that "an 80-game suspension has been imposed on Profar for taking a banned substance."

Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin, a performance-enhancing substance, during a topping test. Consequently, he received an 80-game suspension from the Major League Baseball office.

Profar, familiar to domestic fans as a former teammate of Shin-Soo Choo and Kim Ha-seong, excelled last year with a batting average of .280, 158 hits, 24 home runs, 85 RBIs, and 94 runs scored over 158 games with the San Diego Padres, earning a National League All-Star and Silver Slugger award.

Buoyed by his success, Profar signed a three-year free-agent contract worth $42 million (approximately 62 billion won) with the Atlanta Braves last January; however, just four games after the trade, he was found to have used a banned substance, disappointing the Atlanta organization and fans.

MLB.com noted that "Atlanta now finds itself in a position where they need to find someone to lead off in place of Profar until Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from injury."

The Atlanta organization released an official statement saying, "We were very surprised and disappointed by Profar's positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. We fully support the Major League Baseball office's decision and hope Profar learns from this experience."

Profar stated, "Today is the hardest day of my baseball career. It is very shocking to announce that I received a positive test for a banned substance and have been suspended for 80 games. Anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows that I have a deep passion for baseball. That makes it even more heartbreaking. There is nothing better than competing with my teammates and receiving the love of the fans."

He added, "I apologize to the entire Atlanta organization, my teammates, and the fans. Because I love and respect baseball so much, I never intended to deceive anyone. I had eight drug tests last season but never tested positive. Although using a banned substance was not intentional, I accept full responsibility and the Major League Baseball office's decision."

Profar concluded, "It is very shocking not to be able to take the field with my teammates for the next 80 games. I hope to return and play at the highest level after my suspension."

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