Diamondbacks agree to sign suspended OF Max Kepler

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with 33-year-old outfielder Max Kepler on a one-year contract, the club announced on Sunday.

Kepler was suspended 80 games before the season started for testing positive for Epitrenbolone, a performance-enhancing substance. He remains on the restricted list, as the D-backs’ 40-man roster remains at 40 players.

His suspension means he will not be eligible to play postseason baseball this season should the opportunity arise.

Kepler can start a minor league assignment Wednesday, when the suspension is scheduled to have 15 days remaining. If no Arizona games are postponed, he would be eligible to play for the Diamondbacks on June 25 at St. Louis.

If Kepler returns to the major league roster on June 25, he would receive $396,257 in salary for the remainder of the season. He would earn a $100,000 bonus for 35 days on the active roster and $200,000 each for 55 and 75.

Kepler remains on the restricted list for the remainder of the suspension and will not occupy a spot on the 40-man roster during the ban.

He is ineligible to appear in the postseason this year.

Kepler, a left-handed hitter, is an 11-year veteran who spent the first 10 seasons of his career (2015-24) with the Minnesota Twins. He hit 161 home runs during his Minnesota tenure and amassed 20.5 wins above replacement (Baseball Reference).

Last year, Kepler played for the Philadelphia Phillies on a one-year, $10 million contract, for whom he hit .216 with 18 home runs and an OPS of .691.

Max Kepler swats a no-doubt homer for a @Phillies lead! pic.twitter.com/D7RzfQmxwJ

— MLB (@MLB) May 3, 2025

The Berlin, Germany native has spent most of his career playing right field but has experience in all three outfield spots.

The Diamondbacks have interest in adding left-handed hitters with power, as general manager Mike Hazen laid out on MLB Network Radio on Sunday morning.

The D-backs rank 24th in home runs and 22nd in OPS in MLB while batting from the left side, even with Corbin Carroll putting up big numbers.

Arizona played its 65th game of the season on Sunday, beating the Washington Nationals to improve to 34-31.

ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported in January that Kepler would receive credit against his suspension through games played by the Phillies if he did not join a team by the start of the season, and Philadelphia has played 65 games, as well.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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