PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 24: Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on August 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Astros won the first game of the series 3-1 on Friday. The Diamondbacks won the second game 4-3 on Saturday. The finale is slated to start at 1:10 p.m. CDT on Sunday.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, the Diamondbacks announced they cut a 12-year MLB veteran.
Arizona Diamondbacks Cut 12-Year MLB Veteran Max Kepler Before Astros Game
GettyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 27: Max Kepler #22 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a two-run double during the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Diamondbacks have designated outfielder Max Kepler for assignment, the team announced.
Via MLB.com: Arizona Diamondbacks designated LF Max Kepler for assignment.
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 17: Max Kepler #22 of the Arizona Diamondbacks prepares for the game against the St Louis Cardinals at Chase Field on July 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
The Diamondbacks signed Kepler on June 7. During the offseason, MLB suspended Kepler for 80 games due to PEDs.
Arizona activated Kepler on June 25 after a brief rehab assignment. The outfielder slashed .205/.262/.303 with two home runs and 15 RBI over 41 games with the Diamondbacks before being designated for assignment.
Looking at Max Kepler’s Career
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 19: Max Kepler #22 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a walk off RBI double against the St Louis Cardinals during the tenth inning at Chase Field on July 19, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Diamondbacks won 8-7. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
The Twins signed Kepler when he was just 16 in 2009. The outfielder is from Germany.
Kepler reached the majors with the Twins in 2015. He played for Minnesota through the 2024 season before joining the Philadelphia Phillies on a one-year deal before the 2025 season.
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 07: Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during batting practice prior to game three of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees at Target Field on October 07, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
With the Twins, Kepler posted 20.5 bWAR and a .746 OPS with 161 home runs and 508 RBI over 10 years. He had the best season of his career in 2019, posting 4.0 bWAR and 36 homers.
Even though he was on PEDs, Kepler had a rough 2025 season with the Phillies, posting 0.1 bWAR and a .691 OPS over 127 games.
Arizona Diamondbacks Right Now
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 05: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks runs to first base after hitting a homerun during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 05, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Joe Buvid/Getty Images)
The Diamondbacks are 5-5 in their last 10 games. Before the Astros series, they lost two of three games to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Arizona currently owns the final National League Wild Card position with a 75-68 record. The club has just a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres for the spot.
After the Astros series, the Diamondbacks will begin a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Jackson Kruse Jackson Kruse covers Major League Baseball for Heavy Sports. He is also the site expert for FanSided's Minnesota Twins site, Puckett's Pond, and writes for Nolan Writin', FanSided's Texas Rangers site. Jackson earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Media from Texas State University's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Before joining Heavy Sports and FanSided, he served as sports editor of The University Star, Texas State University's student-run newspaper. More about Jackson Kruse
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Arizona Diamondbacks Cut 12-Year MLB Veteran Before Astros Series Finale
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The Arizona Diamondbacks announced they cut a 12-year MLB veteran before Sunday's game against the Houston Astros.
Arizona Diamondbacks Cut 12-Year MLB Veteran Before Astros Series Finale