Just as the offseason picture was beginning to take shape, unexpected news has thrown a major curveball into Max Kepler’s future.
The former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder is now facing a lengthy absence from Major League Baseball after running afoul of the league’s drug policy.
MLB Hands Down an 80-Game Ban
Major League Baseball confirmed on Friday that Kepler has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for epitrenbolone.
The substance is classified as a banned performance-enhancing drug, and league officials say it violates MLB’s strict anti-doping rules.
The announcement immediately placed Kepler among a growing list of athletes sidelined by failed drug tests.
Free Agency Complicates the Fallout
Kepler currently finds himself without a team after completing the 2025 season in Philadelphia on a one-year, $10 million contract.
That free-agent status adds another layer of uncertainty.
Should he sign with a new club for the 2026 season, the suspension will still follow him — and more significantly, it will rule him out of postseason eligibility for the entire campaign.
A Mixed Year in Philadelphia
Kepler’s lone season with the Phillies delivered flashes of power but also stretches of inconsistency.
Over 127 games, he posted a .216 batting average with a .300 on-base percentage and a .391 slugging percentage.
He finished the year with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs, respectable numbers but not quite the impact many hoped for from the veteran outfielder.
A Decade-Long Run in Minnesota
Before his brief stop in Philadelphia, Kepler was a fixture in Minnesota.
He spent the first 10 seasons of his MLB career with the Twins, where he carved out a reputation as a steady power bat.
Three times he cleared the 20-home-run mark, and his standout year came in 2019, when he blasted 36 home runs, drove in 90 runs, and posted an impressive .855 OPS.
Career Numbers Tell a Solid Story
Across 11 seasons in the majors, the Berlin-born outfielder has compiled a career slash line of .235/.316/.425.
His resume includes 179 home runs and 20.6 wins above replacement, numbers that reflect a productive — if sometimes streaky — career at the highest level.
What Is Epitrenbolone?
Epitrenbolone is a metabolite of trenbolone, an anabolic steroid commonly used to boost muscle growth and appetite in cattle.
According to the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the substance is strictly prohibited in sports due to its performance-enhancing effects, making any positive test a serious violation.
Other Athletes Caught by the Same Substance
Kepler is far from the first athlete to test positive for epitrenbolone.
The substance has surfaced in several high-profile cases, including a surprising incident involving 90-year-old cyclist Carl Grove, who failed a test shortly after setting an age-group world record in 2018.
Track star Erriyon Knighton received a four-year ban in 2024, while Jarrion Lawson and UFC heavyweight Fabricio Werdum have also been linked to failed tests for the steroid.
What Comes Next for Kepler?
With his suspension now official, Kepler’s immediate focus shifts from free agency to damage control.
Whether a team is willing to take a chance on him for 2026 remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — the road back will be longer and more complicated than anyone expected just weeks ago.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn