The story of the Atlanta Braves in 2025 can be told partly in the person of left fielder Jurickson Profar, who in January signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the team.
Two months later, he was suspended for the first 80 games of this season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
Now that he’s back with the Braves, he has been producing from the leadoff position (.834 OPS), and he is expected to be in the lineup again on Wednesday afternoon when Atlanta visits the Miami Marlins for the decisive contest of their three-game series.
Miami won 2-1 on Monday, and Atlanta prevailed 11-2 on Tuesday.
“It’s hard to replace a guy like (Profar),” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of his left fielder’s absence during the first half of the season. “Just glad that he’s back now and starting to get settled in and doing the things he is capable of doing.”
Profar’s return has been a big boost for a Braves lineup that has struggled through several issues.
For example, power-hitting third baseman Austin Riley is out for the year. Jarred Kelenic, once a hot prospect, was benched, and fellow outfielder Michael Harris II endured a brutal slump in the first half of this season.
Even right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. — Atlanta’s biggest star — hasn’t had a smooth season. He had knee surgery in May 2024 and has missed almost exactly half of this year’s games.
The Braves will turn to left-hander Joey Wentz (4-4, 5.25 ERA) to start Wednesday’s game, while the Marlins will counter with right-hander Ryan Gusto (7-6, 5.05).
Wentz has been outstanding in four career appearances (one start) against Miami, posting a 3-1 record and a 1.23 ERA.
Gusto is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in his only career start against the Braves. He was acquired by the Marlins on July 31 in a trade that sent starting right fielder Jesus Sanchez to the Houston Astros.
At age 26, the Marlins feel there’s upside for Gusto, who has to make the most of his chances in the remaining weeks of this season.
Come 2026, Miami’s rotation could be loaded. Start with veterans Eury Perez, Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara. The remaining two spots could go to Ryan Weathers or highly regarded Max Meyer if they return from injury. Or the Marlins could look to left-handers Thomas White and Robby Snelling, their top two pitching prospects who have excelled in the minors this season.
But of those decisions are several months away.
For now, the Marlins are trying to finish strong. With left fielder Kyle Stowers on the injured list, Miami has just two hitters with double-figure homers: catcher/DH Agustin Ramirez (18) and shortstop Otto Lopez (11).
Third baseman Connor Norby could come off the injured list late this month, and that would help. Then again, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said run prevention is his team’s focus.
“Slugfests are fun every once in a while, but I love pitching duels,” McCullough said Tuesday. “Low-scoring affairs put an emphasis on your ability to execute.
“Going forward, we think we’re going to make our mark on pitching at a high level and playing quality defense.”
–Field Level Media
