Major League Baseball has taken decisive action against free-agent outfielder Max Kepler, issuing an 80-game suspension after he tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance.
The ruling, announced Friday, represents one of the more notable disciplinary decisions of the offseason and adds further uncertainty to Kepler’s free agency status ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Kepler was found to have tested positive for Epitrenbolone, a prohibited substance under MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
As a result, the league imposed the standard 80-game suspension, which Kepler accepted without filing a grievance, according to a person familiar with the process who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Substance details and historical context
Epitrenbolone is a metabolite of Trenbolone, a compound sometimes found in products sold at bodybuilding outlets and historically linked to livestock growth enhancement. While rare in baseball-related cases, the substance has previously surfaced in other sports.
Its detection has led to disciplinary action in boxing and cycling, highlighting its classification as a serious violation across professional athletics.
Max Kepler becomes the first MLB player suspended for Epitrenbolone since the league began publicly detailing drug penalties in 2005, placing his case in a unique category within baseball’s disciplinary records.
Impact on free agency and postseason eligibility
The suspension arrives at a critical moment in Kepler’s career. Now a free agent after the World Series, the veteran outfielder remains unsigned entering the early months of 2026. Even if he fails to secure a contract by Opening Day, MLB and the players’ union typically allow suspended free agents to serve their penalty while actively seeking a deal.
However, the suspension carries a major competitive consequence: Max Kepler will be ineligible for the 2026 postseason, regardless of when he signs. That restriction could significantly affect his market value for contending teams looking for late-season roster reinforcements.
Career snapshot and recent performance
Kepler, who turns 33 next month, is an 11-year MLB veteran. He spent the 2025 season with the Philadelphia Phillies after playing the first decade of his career with the Minnesota Twins. Last season, he posted a .216 batting average with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs while playing under a one-year, $10 million contract.
His season was disrupted by left patellar tendinitis, and he later underwent core surgery to repair a sports hernia. Those health concerns, combined with the suspension, complicate his outlook as teams evaluate potential risk.
Broader MLB disciplinary landscape
Max Kepler’s suspension follows a year in which 14 players were disciplined for positive tests, including two under the major league program. The league’s continued enforcement underscores its zero-tolerance stance as it enters another season emphasizing competitive integrity.