ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar started his day by addressing his teammates in the clubhouse at Truist Park, apologizing for missing the past 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s joint drug prevention and treatment program.
He ended it by talking to reporters in that same clubhouse after going 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored in an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
“I got to talk to my teammates and to the fans and to everyone and to put it behind me,” Profar said. “It’s all about winning. I’m going to do everything I can to help the team win every night.”
Profar’s solo homer down the line to right field came in the seventh inning with the Braves leading 7-2, but his single with two outs in the sixth may have been more important. It sparked a seven-run outburst that allowed the Braves to take control of the game and bounce back a night after being shut out by the same opponent.
Slumping outfielder Alex Verdugo was designated for assignment to make room for Profar on Atlanta’s roster. Verdugo agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract late in spring training. The 29-year-old made his Braves debut on April 18 and hit .239 with no home runs and 12 RBIs in 56 games.