Maximilian Kepler: Everything you need to know

Kepler was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for violating the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports. He tested positive for the synthetic anabolic steroid Epitrenbolone. Kepler is a free agent after slashing just .216/.300/.391 with 18 home runs over 127 regular-season games for the Phillies in 2025. He will turn 33 next month and, between the lack of production the last two seasons and now a PED suspension, will have a difficult time landing a contract.

Kepler (illness) will start in left field and bat seventh Sunday against Minnesota. Kepler was held out of the lineup the past two days due to an illness, but he'll close out the regular season as a member of the Phillies' starting nine. The outfielder has gone 2-for-27 (.074 average) with 12 strikeouts over his last eight games.

Kepler (illness) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins. Kepler is absent from the starting nine for a second straight contest due to illness. Considering Philadelphia is locked into a Top 2 seed in the playoffs, the organization can afford to give Kepler an extended rest. Nick Castellanos will fill right field Saturday.