MLB Suspends Max Kepler 80 Games for PED Violation

Major League Baseball suspended free agent outfielder Max Kepler for 80 games on Friday after he tested positive for epitrenbolone, a banned performance-enhancing substance, in violation of the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

The suspension, which takes effect immediately, stems from a positive test for epitrenbolone, a metabolite of trenbolone, an anabolic steroid primarily used to promote muscle growth in cattle and not approved for human use. According to the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the substance has appeared in previous cases across sports, including a 2018 suspension of boxer Manuel Charr and a 2020 ruling against a cyclist. MLB officials confirmed the penalty aligns with the standard discipline for a first offense under the program's rules, which prohibit players from participating in regular-season or postseason games during the suspension period without pay. The league did not disclose details about the testing circumstances or whether Kepler plans to appeal.

Kepler, a 32-year-old German-born player who turns 33 next month, enters his 12th major league season as a free agent following a one-year, $10 million contract with the Philadelphia...