Overview
- Profar said he underwent sports-hernia surgery in November, completed a six-week recovery, and arrived to Braves camp without restrictions.
- He first felt the groin issue in September and it resurfaced during offseason workouts before the procedure.
- Atlanta plans to open with him primarily at designated hitter, a move reinforced by Sean Murphy starting the season on the injured list and Drake Baldwin handling most catching duties.
- Defensive metrics rate Profar among the weaker left fielders, and the Braves added Mike Yastrzemski to stabilize outfield defense, increasing the logic for Profar at DH.
- He returns after an 80-game PED suspension in 2025 and a strong post-reinstatement stretch before a late-September dip that MLB.com notes may have been related to the hernia.