Max Kepler Returns to Diamondbacks Lineup After 80‑Game PED Ban

Overview

• Kepler completed an 80‑game suspension for testing positive for epitrenbolone and was activated by the Diamondbacks on June 25 after a short minor‑league tune‑up.
• He started for Arizona and in his June 27 start at Tropicana Field hit a 406‑foot flyout to center that was caught at the wall by Cedric Mullins.
• Tampa Bay broadcaster Brian Anderson mocked Kepler on the air after the flyout by saying, “Eighty games ago, that’s probably a homer.”
• Kepler has denied intentionally taking a banned substance and said he does not know how the metabolite entered his system, a stance he reiterated after returning to play.
• Arizona plans to use Kepler primarily as a right‑handed platoon bat, a move that has created short‑term roster juggling and leaves the team without him for any postseason games.