Braves' disappointing $42M All-Star to miss Cubs series on paternity list amid season of absences

Braves’ disappointing $42M All-Star to miss Cubs series on paternity list amid season of absences originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Atlanta Braves haven’t had the season they were hoping for, and as the year winds down, manager Brian Snitker is believed to be nearing the end of his tenure. The Braves are not expected to offer Snitker another contract, which has fueled speculation that he may retire.

“Because of that consistent recent success, Snit would normally be afforded a ‘mulligan’ year—even though going from the second-best preseason World Series odds to possibly the third-best odds of winning the draft lottery is a pretty serious mulligan,” Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote. “At 69, though, he’s already the oldest manager in the National League by a several-year margin and was likely to retire at the end of this season, which is the last one in his current contract.”

One of the Braves’ only offseason acquisitions was Jurickson Profar, but his impact has been underwhelming. Profar was suspended during the first week of the season, which immediately created tension and distrust among fans.

“Atlanta keeping Profar doesn’t change the fact that the outfielder will still be on thin ice. The veteran is going to need more than a handful of nice moments to win back a frustrated fan base. It will take a solid season of production and help push the franchise back into the postseason chase. Until the outfielder is traded or this happens, there is still going to be a level of frustration with the poor choice Profar made. Something that will continue to define the outfielder’s time in Atlanta for the foreseeable future,” ATL All Day’s Nick Halden wrote.

On Tuesday, Profar was placed on the paternity list, adding to a season already filled with absences and missed opportunities.

“Atlanta placed Profar on the paternity list Tuesday. Profar will likely miss the final two games of the series against the Cubs before rejoining Atlanta for the start of a homestand Friday. Jake Fraley and Eli White will likely pick up the slack in left field while Profar is away,” CBS Sports wrote.

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Braves fans have only caught glimpses of what Profar is capable of this season. The final stretch was supposed to be his chance to turn things around and prove himself. Instead, yet another absence adds to a season defined by setbacks and disappointment.