As Opening Day gets closer, MLB teams are starting to get a clearer idea of what their final rosters will look like. The Atlanta Braves, meanwhile, got some positive news about their biggest offseason signing.
What Happened to Jurickson Profar?
Jurickson Profar signed as an international free agent in 2009 and worked his way up to become baseball’s top prospect heading into the 2013 season. While he was called up and played in Texas for a few years, things never quite clicked there with the Rangers.
Fast forward to now, and Profar has posted two seasons with a WAR (wins above replacement) over 3 in the last three years with the San Diego Padres. As a result, he signed a $42 million deal with the Braves this offseason.
Spring training stats don’t always mean much, but it’s always good to see a player make a strong first impression. After just 12 at-bats, however, Profar had to be evaluated for a wrist injury, leaving fans wondering if he would be available for Opening Day.
What Is Profar’s Prognosis?
The Braves dealt with injuries all last year, but it’s best for baseball when every team starts the season at full strength. And this time, it looks like Atlanta may have dodged a bullet, as early test results have been promising.
Profar will undergo treatment and limit his on-field activities to things like standing in the box to track live pitches over the next few days. He could be cleared to swing within the next few days. He smiled and said “Very confident” when asked about being ready for Opening Day
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 12, 2025
The Braves have already gotten good news this spring with Ronald Acuña Jr.’s strong performance. Adding Profar at the top of the order would only improve things for the hitters behind him.
Acuña won the 2023 MVP Award, leading the National League in hits, runs, stolen bases, on-base percentage, and OPS (on-base plus slugging). Having a switch hitter like Profar ahead of him could create even more RBI opportunities for Acuña and the rest of the lineup.
With the loss of Max Fried to the New York Yankees, Atlanta’s offense has become even more important. If they stay healthy, the Braves could make a serious run at a division title (and maybe more) in 2025.