Free agent outfielder receives 80 game suspension from Major League Baseball

According to a report from MLB Network's Mark Feinsand, Major League Baseball announced today that free agent outfielder Max Kepler has received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Epitrenbolone, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

Kepler, 33 in February, just wrapped up his first season away from the Twins. After years in Minnesota, Kepler became a free agent after the 2024 campaign and signed a one-year, $10MM deal with the Phillies.

His year in Philadelphia wasn't especially pleasant. He hit 18 home runs but slashed .216/.300/.391 for a wRC+ of 90.

Along the way, he expressed some frustration at being shielded from lefties, saying that he thought he had been signed to be an everyday player.

Returning to free agency this winter, he wasn't going to have a huge amount of earning potential after that down year.

This development obviously changes that. Kepler is now not only a 33-year-old coming off a down year, but also one who won't even be available for the first half of the season.

As a free agent, his suspension doesn't start until he signs somewhere. That means he needs to find a club willing to give him a deal just to even begin serving his suspension.

Even if he latches on somewhere, serves his suspension and plays well in the second half, he wouldn't be eligible for the 2026 postseason.

That's obviously going to cut into Kepler's earning power.

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