BREAKING: Free agent outfielder Max Kepler has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a banned substance, epitrenbolone, Major League Baseball (MLB) confirmed today. This suspension, announced just moments ago, raises urgent questions about the impact on Kepler’s career and potential future with any team.
Kepler, 33, played last season with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he struggled with a batting average of .216 while hitting 18 home runs and earning 52 RBIs over 127 games. Previously, he spent his entire career with the Minnesota Twins, amassing impressive stats that included 20.6 Baseball-Reference wins above replacement and 161 home runs from 2016 to 2024.
The suspension will not take effect until Kepler signs with a new team, leaving his immediate future uncertain. Under MLB’s joint drug prevention and treatment program, he will also face ineligibility for the 2026 postseason, a significant blow for any team that hopes to secure his talents.
As of now, a representative for Kepler’s agency has not responded to requests for comment, adding to the speculation surrounding his next steps. Fans and analysts alike are left wondering how this suspension will affect the free agent market and whether Kepler can find a new opportunity to continue his career.
With the announcement coming so close to the upcoming season, the urgency for teams to adjust their rosters is palpable. Kepler’s situation is a reminder of the strict regulations within MLB and the serious consequences of violations.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops, and consider the implications for the league as it grapples with performance-enhancing drug issues.
