MLB Suspension Fallout: Fantasy Baseball Impact of Jurickson Profar and Johan Rojas Bans

A different kind of MLB news dropped on Tuesday. Let's go over a pair of suspensions.

We will discuss the real-world implications and changing fantasy baseball outlooks because of the suspensions.

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Profar Suspended for Whole Season

Atlanta's Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 162 games because he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. It's his second suspension in the past year, which is why the suspension is so long.

He tested positive for “exogenous testosterone and its metabolites.” Profar has to forfeit his entire $15 million salary, won't be eligible for the postseason and cannot play in the World Baseball Classic for the Netherlands.

The players' association filed a grievance at Profar's request, but I'm going to approach things like he will indeed be suspended for the whole season.

Profar is a 33-year old who has 12 years of MLB experience. He played in 80 games last season, hitting just .245 and getting on base at a .353 clip.

Profar has a career .245 average and .333 on-base percentage. He has some pop, can steal some bases and doesn't strike out a ton.

He had a .280 average and .380 OBP in 158 games in 2024, while posting career-best numbers in other stats. Since then, Profar has been suspended twice.

Real-World and Fantasy Implications of Profar's Suspension

Profar was expected to serve as the team's designated hitter, and that spot is now expected to be a platoon between Dominic Smith and Jorge Mateo. The Braves could also spell some of their top-end players (Ronald Acuna Jr., Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson, Austin Riley) more often in that DH spot.

Not having Profar is a blow to the lineup, and knocks the Braves down a peg or so for the coming year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Atlanta add another impact bat before the season, just to cover things for the year.

Of course, the suspension (if upheld) means that Profar shouldn't be a fantasy asset in any leagues. His ADP was around pick 115, so hopefully you didn't already draft. If you did and roster him now, Profar can safely be dropped in all redraft leagues, and it'd be hard to keep holding him in any leagues, as he's aging and not that great of a player anyways.

It remains to be seen who benefits the most from Profar's suspension, but for now, Smith and Mateo look like the biggest beneficiaries. Jonah Heim, Brett Wisely and Eli White are other projected bench bats who could also serve as the DH, especially if they are excelling at the plate.

Rojas Suspended for 80 Games

Philadelphia's Johan Rojas has been suspended 80 games after he was nabbed for taking a performance-enhancing drug. He too is appealing that suspension, but I'm going to approach things like that suspension will be upheld.

The 25-year-old outfielder has played three years in the MLB, getting in 250 games. He has a .252 average and .294 OBP.

In 473 career minor league games, Rojas had a .277 average and .336 OBP, so he hasn't lived up to his hype he gathered as a prospect yet.

He played in 71 games for Philly last year, hitting .224 and getting on base at a .280 clip. Rojas had 40 strikeouts over 172 plate appearances.

Real-World and Fantasy Implications of Rojas' Suspension

He was an outfield option in Philly, but more likely a depth option, if he even made the big league team right away.

Philly has Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford as left-handed hitting outfielders in projected platoons for 2026. Otto Kemp and Pedro Leon are guys who could fill out those platoons. Adolis Garcia is the projected starter in right field.

Things didn't look great for Rojas, and after this suspension, it'll be tough for him to crack the team/lineup when he's back. Injuries could force the Phillies to bring back Rojas, but this suspension could be the thing that effectively ends Rojas' time with the big league team.

At this point of his career, a change of scenery could do him well. Not many teams would want to take on a player with a suspension for PEDs, but he could maybe turn into a fantasy asset down the road in the right scenario.

Rojas was off the fantasy radar outside super deep leagues already, and this really downgrades his status in all fantasy leagues now. We'll see if Rojas can ever bounce back from this setback.