Maximilian Kepler: Everything you need to know

Kepler (suspension) and the Diamondbacks agreed to terms on a one-year contract Sunday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. Kepler is serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance enhancing substance, but he will now have a team to return to once his suspension is over. The 33-year-old struggled to a .216 average with 18 home runs, 52 RBI, 58 runs scored and three stolen bases over 417 at-bats in 127 regular-season contests with the Phillies last year. Kepler's suspension will be complete June 24, and he'll likely need to get up to speed with Triple-A Reno before he joins the major-league roster.

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.