Max Kepler. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Former Phillies outfielder Max Kepler tests positive for PEDs

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 9, 2026 4:40 PM ET

A former 30-homer hitter has been suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

Outfielder Max Kepler, who is currently a free agent, was suspended after testing positive for Epitrenbolone, an anabolic steroid intended to increase muscle and appetite.

Kepler once appeared to be a young slugger worth watching with the Minnesota Twins. He hit 36 home runs in 2019, but never came particularly close to that total again. His best year since was a 24-homer campaign in 2023.

The Philadelphia Phillies brought Kepler in as a free agent last season, but he struggled mightily, hitting just .216 with 18 home runs in 127 games.

Max Kepler, the former Phillies/Twins outfielder, has been suspended for 80 games, for testing positive for the synthetic anabolic steroid, Epitrenbolone. pic.twitter.com/4JeXLovVQi
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) January 9, 2026

Kepler had yet to find a landing spot in free agency coming off that poor campaign, and his hopes of doing so are definitely finished now.

Kepler has 179 career home runs, most of them coming with the Twins. The 32-year-old faces a long road back to baseball if he wants to try and continue his MLB career after this.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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