The former friend of Kim Ha-seong, Jurickson Profar (Atlanta Braves), known to domestic fans, shocked the Major League Baseball community by testing positive for banned substances in a doping test.

Major League Baseball's official website, MLB.com, reported on the 1st (Korea time) that 'Profar has received an 80-game suspension for allegedly using banned substances.'

Profar tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance chorionic gonadotropin in the doping test, resulting in an 80-game suspension notice from Major League Baseball.

Profar, who is familiar to domestic fans as a former teammate of Choo Shin-soo and Kim Ha-seong, had an impressive season last year with the San Diego Padres, playing 158 games with a batting average of .280, 158 hits, 24 home runs, 85 RBIs, and 94 runs scored, earning a National League All-Star and Silver Slugger honors.

Profar, riding this wave, signed a three-year, $42 million (approximately 62 billion won) free-agent contract with the Atlanta Braves last January, but was caught using banned substances just four games after the trade, disappointing the Atlanta team and fans. Some are even mocking that last year's career-high performance was due to drug use.

Facing adversity right from the start of the first year of a mega contract, the Atlanta team released an official statement saying, 'We are very shocked and disappointed by Profar's positive test for performance-enhancing substances. We fully support Major League Baseball's decision and hope Profar learns from this experience.'

Profar expressed, 'Today is the hardest day of my baseball life. It is shocking to reveal that I have been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for banned substances.' He added, 'Anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows that I have a deep passion for baseball. That makes it even more painful. There is nothing better than competing with teammates and receiving the love of fans.'

He continued, 'I apologize to the Atlanta team, my teammates, and the fans. Because I love and respect baseball so much, I never intended to deceive anyone regarding my use of banned substances. I underwent eight drug tests last season, but I have never tested positive. My use of banned substances was also not intentional, but I will take full responsibility and accept Major League Baseball's decision.'

Profar concluded his apology by saying, 'It is shocking that I won't be able to take the field with my teammates for the next 80 games. I hope to return to play at the highest level after my suspension.'

MLB.com reported, 'Atlanta will have to find someone to take the leadoff spot in place of Profar until Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from injury.'

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