Max Kepler suspended for PEDs

Max Kepler, the veteran outfielder who spent the 2025 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, has been suspended for 80 games for violating MLB’s Performance Enhancing Drugs policy, it was announced today. He reportedly tested positive for Epitrenbolone, a synthetic steroid.

Kepler, who turns 33 next month, is currently a free agent. Originally signed as an international free agent out of Germany by the Minnesota Twins in 2009, he had spent his entire career with Minnesota prior to signing with the Phillies last year as a free agent.

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Kepler has mostly been in a platoon role the last few years. 2025 saw him slash just .216/.300/.391 for an 88 OPS+, and after making $10 million with Philadelphia last year, he was likely looking at a significant pay cut for 2026. Now, with the suspension being assessed, it is going to be even harder for him to find a major league home for the 2026 season.