The Atlanta Braves have been officially notified that Jurickson Profar will miss the entire 2026 season due to his suspension by Major League Baseball. The 33-year-old player from Curacao was suspended on March 3 after testing positive for exogenous testosterone, marking his second positive result for a performance-enhancing drug within a little over a year. This follows a previous suspension in 2025, where he was banned for 80 games after testing positive for human chorionic gonadotropin. Profar's latest suspension was upheld after he appealed the decision, as confirmed by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The ruling means he will be ineligible to participate in the 2026 postseason and will forfeit his $15 million salary for the 2026 season. In 2025, he lost over $5.1 million in earnings due to missing nearly half the season as a result of his prior suspension. Profar, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves in January 2025, had only played 80 games for the team as of the latest update. The deal came after he had an All-Star season with the San Diego Padres in 2024. His suspension now effectively ends his tenure with the Braves for the 2026 campaign, leaving the team to navigate the loss of a key player amid ongoing disciplinary actions against him.#curacao #atlanta_braves #jurickson_profar #san_diego_padres #major_league_baseball
Ceddanne Rafaela Seeks to Learn from Andruw Jones in World Baseball Classic Ceddanne Rafaela, the 25-year-old Red Sox center fielder, sees playing for the Netherlands under manager Andruw Jones in the World Baseball Classic as an opportunity to grow as a player. For Rafaela, the experience mirrors the process of pursuing higher education, offering a chance to learn from one of the game’s greatest defensive stars. Jones, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and Hall of Fame inductee, has been a mentor figure for Rafaela, who expressed admiration for his career and defensive prowess. Rafaela, who made his WBC debut with the Netherlands in a loss to Venezuela, emphasized his eagerness to absorb lessons from Jones. “I want to be a complete player like he was,” Rafaela said. “There’s a lot I can learn from talking to somebody who had the kind of career that he did.” Jones, who has been a guiding presence for Curacaoan players in the majors, recalled hearing about Rafaela years ago through coaches and players. “They knew he was coming,” Jones said. “I’m proud of all of them. It’s a small island and baseball is big. They love the game.” The connection between Rafaela and Jones extends beyond their shared nationality and position. Both hail from Curacao, a Caribbean island with a strong baseball tradition. Since Hensley Meulens became the first Curacaoan to reach the majors in 1989, 17 players have followed. Jones, who has been a mentor to many, noted that Rafaela’s potential was recognized early. “Coaches back home said he was a great shortstop,” Jones said. “When I saw him on TV, I realized he’s a special kid.” Despite the natural comparisons between Rafaela and Jones, the latter insists the focus should be on Rafaela’s own development. “There’s only going to be one [Andruw Jones],” Jones said.#andruw_jones #curacao #world_baseball_classic #ceddanne_rafaela #jurickson_profar
Druw Jones rips RBI double in World Baseball Classic, father celebrates in dugout Diamondbacks outfielder prospect Druw Jones made an immediate impact in the World Baseball Classic, hitting an RBI double in the Netherlands’ opening Pool D game against Venezuela. His father, Hall of Famer Andruw Jones, watched from the dugout, marking the first time a father-son duo has ever been a manager-player pair in the tournament’s history. The younger Jones, 22, is representing the Netherlands for the first time in his career, while his father, who hails from Curacao—a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands—makes his managerial debut. Druw shared that his father had already secured his place on the roster when he learned he would be managing. “He was like, ‘Hey, man, if you’re going to be able to play, we’re going to have you on the roster,’” Druw said. “Of course I’m going to accept. Just had to wait on the team’s approval, and they were all backing it 100 percent.” In the second inning of the Netherlands’ game against Venezuela, Jones grounded a sinker up the middle and hustled to second base for an RBI double, scoring the team’s first run of the tournament. His performance was highlighted by social media, with tweets from the World Baseball Classic and MLB celebrating the moment. Jones also contributed another RBI in his third at-bat with a sacrifice fly that scored Didi Gregorius. Despite striking out in his second plate appearance, his offensive output showcased his growing impact. The younger Jones, known for his defensive prowess, was recently named Minor League Defensive Player of the Year and has been a Gold Glove recipient in the minors. In spring training games with the Diamondbacks, Jones has slashed .333/.333/.500 with two doubles in 12 plate appearances.#andruw_jones #curacao #world_baseball_classic #druw_jones #diamondbacks
Ceddanne Rafaela is playing for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic due to his connection to Curacao, a self-governing island that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. While Rafaela is best known to Boston Red Sox fans as a rising star in Major League Baseball, his participation in the WBC highlights his eligibility under the tournament’s rules, which allow players with ties to the Netherlands or its Caribbean territories to represent the nation. Curacao, along with Aruba and Sint Maarten, forms part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a constitutional monarchy that includes both European and Caribbean territories. The WBC’s eligibility criteria focus on a player’s citizenship or heritage within the Kingdom, rather than strict national borders. This framework enables athletes like Rafaela, who was born in Curacao, to compete for the Netherlands despite not being a citizen of the mainland country. Rafaela’s inclusion in the Netherlands’ WBC roster adds depth to a squad already featuring notable talents such as Xander Bogaerts and Ozzie Albies. The team’s pitching staff is particularly strong, with many players either from the Netherlands or with Dutch heritage, creating a competitive lineup. This combination of talent and eligibility rules has positioned the Netherlands as a formidable contender in the tournament. The decision to represent the Netherlands reflects the broader context of international sports participation, where players from territories within the same sovereign state can compete under a shared national identity. For Rafaela, this opportunity allows him to showcase his skills on a global stage while honoring his roots in Curacao.#netherlands #curacao #world_baseball_classic #ceddanne_rafaela #kingdom_of_the_netherlands
Venezuela vs Netherlands WBC live score, lineups, how to watch on Tubi Two teams with strong hopes of advancing from Pool D of the 2026 World Baseball Classic will face off in their opening match on March 6 in Miami. Venezuela and the Netherlands, both with past WBC success, are vying for the second spot in the group, as the Dominican Republic remains the dominant force in the pool. A win for either team would position them favorably for a quarterfinal berth, though the Netherlands faces a significant challenge after losing versatile leadoff man Jurickson Profar to a second positive drug test. Despite the setback, the Netherlands squad still boasts talent, including Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddane Rafaela and San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who is set to play in his fourth WBC. Venezuela, meanwhile, features Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr. and three-time batting champion Luis Arráez, along with veteran sluggers Salvador Pérez and Willson Contreras. Both teams aim to avoid early elimination by defeating Israel and Nicaragua in the group. The Netherlands lineup includes Chadwick Tromp behind the plate, with Sharlon Schoop at first base and Didi Gregorius at third. Xander Bogaerts and Ceddane Rafaela anchor the infield, while Ray-Patrick Didder starts in left field. Venezuela’s lineup features Ronald Acuña Jr. in right field, with Luis Arráez and Willson Contreras forming a powerful middle of the order. Javier Sanoja, a Miami Marlins utilityman, provided an unexpected spark with a solo home run in the second inning, giving Venezuela a 2-1 lead. The Netherlands’ starter, Antwone Kelly, held his own against Ranger Suárez, completing three innings before Ryjteri Merite, a Reds prospect, pitched a scoreless fourth. Venezuela’s bullpen, including Eduard Bazardo and Luinder Ávila, kept the lead intact through the fifth.#venezuela #miami #netherlands #dominican_republic #curacao
