Former Phillie Max Kepler suspended 80 games for PED violation originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Free-agent outfielder Max Kepler has been suspended 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Friday.
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Kepler, 32, tested positive for Epitrenbolone, a performance-enhancing substance. Under the program, the suspension will take effect immediately as the regular season begins.
Major League Baseball did not specify a reinstatement timetable beyond the standard suspension length. He will be ineligible to participate in the 2026 postseason.
Kepler is currently a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Phillies on a one-year deal. In his lone season in Philadelphia, the 6-foot-4 outfielder hit .216 with 18 home runs, drove in 52 runs and posted a .691 OPS.
In the National League Division Series against the Dodgers, Kepler collected a pair of extra-base hits and registered a .750 OPS in 15 plate appearances.
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Before joining the Phillies, Kepler spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Twins, establishing himself as an everyday corner outfielder.
Kepler had already been considered unlikely to return to Philadelphia this offseason.
