Outfielder Max Kepler has been suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball for using a performance enhancing drug the league announced Friday.
Kepler, who is currently a free agent, tested positive for Epitrenbolone, which is prohibited under the MLB’s drug program. Representatives for the soon to be 33 year old did not respond to requests for comment, making it unclear as to whether he plans to appeal the suspension.
Because he is currently unsigned, Kepler’s suspension will not begin until he inks a contract with a new team. Given the fact that he will now miss half the season, and then be ineligible for the playoffs, his pool of potential suitors has likely just shrunk significantly.
A career .235/.316/.425 hitter with 179 homers and 560 RBIs over 11 seasons in the Majors, Kepler spent the 2025 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, playing in an outfield platoon role. Prior to that he spent 10 years with the Twins organization after making his MLB debut back in 2015.
A 6’4″ left handed hitter, Kepler figured to earn a 1 year deal for a team looking for outfield depth this offseason. Now with a suspension looming, unless he’s prepared to take a major pay cut, it’s unclear whether there will be a Major League home for the German in 2026.
Photo: Andy Witchger. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.