Former Phillies Slugger Breaks Silence On ‘Situation’ After PED Suspension Return
Former Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Max Kepler has made a notable return to Major League Baseball with the Arizona Diamondbacks, following an 80-game suspension for testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Epitrenbolone. Kepler recently hit his first home run since his comeback, a significant milestone that helped the Diamondbacks defeat a division rival. Breaking his silence, Kepler expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to play again, acknowledging his mid-season return and emphasizing patience with himself. His previous 2025 season with the Phillies, where he hit 18 home runs, had partially revived his offensive production, likely playing a role in the Diamondbacks' decision to sign him despite the impending suspension. Kepler is clearly focused on seizing this second chance and putting his past behind him.
The Philadelphia Phillies saw former outfield slugger Max Kepler depart the team in free agency last year and it seems unlikely they were ever very interested in a reunion.
But before any team could strike a new deal with Kepler, news surfaced that he would have to serve an 80-game suspension before the 2026 season.
Now, after leaving Philadelphia, serving that suspension and returning to baseball with a new National League club, the veteran outfielder has spoken out about putting the previous chapter behind him.
Kepler delivered a milestone moment this week by launching his first home run since completing his suspension, and helping the Arizona Diamondbacks beat a division rival in the process.
“Max Kepler homered to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to an 8-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Monday night, his first home run since returning from an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug,” the Associated Press reported. “Kepler was suspended in January for a positive test for Epitrenbolone, a metabolite of Trenbolone that's contained in some products used in body-building stores and has been used in products to promote cattle growth.”
And after his Diamondbacks return, Kepler broke his silence about returning midway through the season after the significant PED suspension immediately followed his Phillies tenure.
"Given my situation, coming in halfway through the season, I am patient with myself," Kepler said, per the Associated press. "I am grateful once I get to step onto the field. I am grateful I get to play this game."
Before the suspension derailed things, Kepler had at least partially revived his offensive production during his lone season in Philadelphia.
“In 2025, Kepler bounced back in the power department after playing through injuries throughout 2024,” Theo DeRosa and Perla Paredes wrote for MLB.com. “He hit just eight home runs in 399 plate appearances in 2024 before signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the Phillies and slugging 18 homers in 474 plate appearances.”
But Kepler slashed just .216/.300/.391 in his sole Phillies campaign and it seemed like the team was content to move on from him shortly before he was suspended, despite his modest bounceback.
Still, Kepler’s production in Philadelphia likely went a long way in convincing the Diamondbacks to take a chance on his return. And in the early returns on that gamble, it seems Kepler is determined to seize his opportunity for a comeback.