Max Kepler Suspended 80 Games by MLB for Positive Drug Test
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Major League Baseball announced on Friday that free agent outfielder Max Kepler has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for epitrenbolone, a banned performance-enhancing substance. The 32-year-old, who spent the first decade of his career with the Minnesota Twins before signing a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies last season, accepted the suspension without contesting the discipline.
Kepler tested positive for epitrenbolone, a metabolite of trenbolone, which is commonly found in bodybuilding supplements and has been used to promote growth in cattle. This marks the first time since MLB began publicly announcing penalties in 2005 that a player has been suspended for this particular substance. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has previously sanctioned athletes in other sports for epitrenbolone, including boxer Manuel Charr in 2018 and cyclist Carl Grove, whose world record was disqualified in 2019 due to a positive test for the same compound.
Kepler’s suspension comes amid a broader crackdown on performance-enhancing drugs in professional baseball. Last year alone, 14 players faced suspensions for positive drug tests under MLB’s program, including notable cases such as Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar and Phillies closer José Alvarado, both suspended for 80 games. The league’s stringent drug testing policies are overseen in coordination with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which enforces compliance with banned substance regulations.
Kepler, a native of Germany, began his professional career when he signed with the Minnesota Twins as a 16-year-old in 2009. Over 11 seasons, he compiled a .225 batting average, hitting 179 home runs and driving in 560 runs. His 2025 campaign with the Phillies was challenging, as he posted a .216 average with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs across 127 games.
Despite his free agent status, MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association typically allow suspended free agents to serve their penalties while negotiating contracts with teams. With Opening Day approaching in March, Kepler’s suspension could significantly impact his prospects for signing with a new club.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has emphasized the league’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport through rigorous drug testing and enforcement. The suspension of Kepler underscores MLB’s ongoing efforts to deter the use of performance-enhancing drugs and uphold fair competition.
For more information on MLB’s drug policy and recent disciplinary actions, visit the MLB Player Drug Program page. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances provides further details on prohibited compounds. Additionally, the Department of Justice has previously taken action against illegal doping rings, highlighting the broader legal context surrounding performance-enhancing drugs in sports.
Kepler’s suspension adds to a growing list of athletes facing penalties for doping violations, reflecting the ongoing challenges professional sports leagues encounter in combating drug use and preserving competitive integrity.
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