Overview
- The Diamondbacks announced Sunday that they signed veteran outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, prorated major-league deal while he remains on MLB's restricted list and out of the 40-man roster.
- Kepler was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for epitrenbolone, a Trenbolone metabolite, and has had games credited from his time with the Philadelphia Phillies so he is expected to be eligible to return around June 24–25 but will be barred from postseason play.
- Club statements and reporting say Kepler will not count against Arizona’s 40-man roster while suspended, may take a short minor-league rehab assignment before activation, and is reported to be paid a prorated portion of the major-league minimum.
- The signing is a low-cost gamble: Kepler hit .216/.300/.391 with 18 homers for the Phillies in 2025 and has shown intermittent power in his 11-year career, making him a potential right-handed matchup boost behind Corbin Carroll.
- For Arizona the move addresses a clear roster need identified by GM Mike Hazen for more left-handed power, but the club must weigh Kepler's immediate unavailability for the postseason and whether his return reshapes trade-deadline plans or playing time allocations.