Free-agent outfielder Max Kepler suspended 80 games after testing positive for Epitrenbolone
Free-agent outfielder Max Kepler has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for Epitrenbolone, a banned performance-enhancing substance, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Friday. The suspension violates MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Kepler, 33, spent the 2025 season as a platoon outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, finishing with a .216/.300/.391 batting line with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs in 127 games. His production marked another down year for the veteran outfielder, who has struggled offensively in recent seasons.
Suspension Details and Timeline
Under MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement, the suspension will cover regular season and postseason games in which Kepler would have been eligible to play. He will be automatically ineligible for the 2026 postseason, a significant penalty as teams prepare for the upcoming season.
The suspension will not begin until Kepler signs with a team. Should he remain unsigned as a free agent, he can serve the suspension while not affiliated with a club. However, if he does sign, he will not receive pay during the suspension period.
Career Context and Free Agency Impact
Kepler’s suspension comes at a critical juncture in his free agency. The 33-year-old outfielder was unlikely to command significant interest on the open market following his subpar 2025 performance with the Phillies. Before joining Philadelphia, he spent 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins, accumulating 20.6 wins above replacement with 179 home runs and a .747 on-base plus slugging percentage from 2016 to 2024.
His best season came in 2019, when he hit 36 home runs for Minnesota. However, over the last four years, Kepler has been a below-average hitter by OPS+ metrics, limiting his market value heading into this offseason.
A representative for Kepler’s agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the suspension.
