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Max Kepler Suspended 80 Games After Drug Test

1/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Max Kepler, a free agent outfielder, was suspended by Major League Baseball for 80 games after testing positive for Epitrenbolone.
The suspension, announced January 9, will take effect once he signs a contract for the 2026 season.
Kepler will miss the first half of 2026 and be ineligible for postseason play.
In 2025 he played for the Philadelphia Phillies, batting .216 with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs.

History

Historical Context

Major League Baseball (MLB) faced a significant steroid scandal in the early 2000s, prompting the MLB Players Association to agree to a stricter drug policy in 2005, which included 50-game suspensions for first-time offenders. This policy aimed to restore integrity in the sport, as exemplified by recent suspensions like Max Kepler's 80-game ban for Epitrenbolone, reflecting ongoing efforts to combat performance-enhancing drugs.

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Story summary

Max Kepler, a free agent outfielder, was suspended by Major League Baseball for 80 games after testing positive for Epitrenbolone.
The suspension, announced January 9, will take effect once he signs a contract for the 2026 season.
Kepler will miss the first half of 2026 and be ineligible for postseason play.
In 2025 he played for the Philadelphia Phillies, batting .216 with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs.

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