Former Phillies outfielder Max Kepler suspended by Major League Baseball

Former Phillies outfielder Max Kepler was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. MLB said Kepler tested positive for Epitrenbolone, a synthetic anabolic steroid, according to The Athletic’s Jayson Stark.

Kepler, currently a free agent, appeared in 127 games for the Phillies last year. Signed to a one-year deal with the hopes of having a bounce-back campaign, Kepler mainly disappointed in Philadelphia. He batted .216 with a .691 OPS, the third lowest of his career.

Kepler found some footing over the final two months of the 2025 season while taking part of a platoon in right field with Nick Castellanos. The left-handed hitter slashed .250/.309/.482 and hit seven home runs after the trade deadline.

Kepler never appeared to be in the Phillies’ outfield plans for 2026. The club’s outfield plan moving forward consists of Brandon Marsh with a platoon partner in left field, top prospect Justin Crawford in center field and Adolis Garcia in right field. Garcia, signed to a one-year deal earlier this winter, will take over for Castellanos, who the Phillies will likely either trade or release before the start of spring training.