Free-agent outfielder Max Kepler suspended 80 games for PEDs

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Friday that free-agent outfielder Max Kepler has received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Epitrenbolone, a performance enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Kepler became a free agent in November after spending 2025 playing for the Phillies on a one-year, $10 million deal. Should he sign with a club for the 2026 season, Kepler's PED suspension makes him ineligible for postseason play.

Kepler, who will turn 33 in February, produced a slash line of .216/.300/.391 with 18 homers and 52 RBIs over 127 games for Philadelphia last season.

Prior to joining the Phillies, Kepler spent his first 10 seasons with the Twins. The Germany native reached the 20-homer plateau three times with Minnesota, including a career year in 2019 that saw him produce 36 dingers, 90 RBIs and an .855 OPS -- all career highs.

Kepler owns a lifetime .235/.316/.425 slash with 179 homers and 560 RBIs over 11 seasons in the Majors.