Max Kepler, a free-agent outfielder with a career .235/.316/.425 slash line, has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Epitrenbolone, following a season with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Max Kepler received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, which affects his availability and earning potential, especially as a free agent and for the 2026 playoffs.
The Phillies are uncertain if Trea Turner will play in their final regular-season game due to injury, but he is expected to be ready for the NLDS. Max Kepler is feeling better but not in the lineup. The team aims to secure the top seed in the NL playoffs, which would give home-field advantage, and has a scheduled bye week with workouts and intrasquad games before the postseason.
The Twins have acquired right-hander Michael Tonkin from the Mets, who designated him for assignment last week. Tonkin returns to the organization that originally drafted him in 2008 and will provide a veteran arm to a bullpen dealing with multiple injuries. Outfielder Max Kepler has been placed on the injured list, opening a roster spot for Tonkin, while the Twins will owe him the prorated portion of his $1MM base salary. With Kepler sidelined, the Twins will turn to Matt Wallner, Alex Kirilloff, Manuel Margot, Willi Castro, and Austin Martin to fill the outfield void.
The Seattle Mariners inquired about a potential trade involving outfielder Max Kepler from the Minnesota Twins, indicating their interest in further changing their outfield mix. While the talks didn't materialize, the Mariners' pursuit suggests a desire for additional outfield options. Meanwhile, the Twins, who recently traded Jorge Polanco to the Mariners, may retain Kepler as part of their outfield plans for the upcoming season, as they aim to manage their payroll within a specific range.
Kenta Maeda returned from injury and pitched five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts to earn his first MLB win since August 2021 as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Detroit Tigers 4-1. Maeda convinced the bench coach to let him stay in the game to secure the win, and the bullpen finished the job. Max Kepler hit a home run for the third time in four games, and Brock Stewart induced a crucial double play to help seal the victory.
The Minnesota Twins have transferred Nick Gordon from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list due to a fractured right shin, clearing a spot on the 40-man roster for Royce Lewis, who has been reinstated from the 60-day IL. Max Kepler has also been activated from the 10-day IL, while Matt Wallner and Kyle Garlick have been optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to clear active roster space. Gordon's transfer ensures he won't be able to return until the third week of July at the earliest.
The Minnesota Twins will activate Max Kepler and Royce Lewis from the injured list before Monday's game against the Astros. Lewis will make his season debut after spending all of 2021 on the 60-day IL due to a torn ACL. Kepler has been on the 10-day IL due to a hamstring strain. The Twins are slowly inching closer to full health after dealing with a plethora of injuries all season along.
Rookie pitcher Peyton Battenfield gave the Cleveland Guardians 5 2/3 no-hit innings before Max Kepler hit a home run in the sixth inning, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 2-0 victory at Progressive Field.
Brett Baty, Taj Bradley, Zach Neto, Garrett Whitlock, Max Kepler, and Kyle Isbel are all potential waiver wire pickups for fantasy baseball players. Baty is a top prospect who is expected to become the Mets' starting third baseman, while Bradley has the potential to be a top-40 fantasy starter. Neto is a rookie who could see playing time as the Angels' everyday shortstop, and Whitlock is a pitcher who should be a fixture in Boston's rotation. Kepler is a good hitter who just returned from injury and is projected to have a strong rest of the season, while Isbel is a deeper league option with potential for home runs and steals.
The Minnesota Twins have placed outfielder Max Kepler on the 10-day injured list due to right patellar tendinitis. Kepler's absence adds to the team's injury woes, with Alex Kirilloff and Gilberto Celestino also on the IL, and Byron Buxton limited to DH duty. In Kepler's place, the Twins have called up outfielder Matt Wallner from Triple-A. Kepler's injury is a setback for the player, who is in the last guaranteed season of his five-year, $35MM contract with the Twins.
The Minnesota Twins defeated the Miami Marlins 11-1 with an explosive offense that included four home runs from Max Kepler, Joey Gallo, Trevor Larnach, and Ryan Jeffers. Tyler Mahle pitched five innings, giving up only one run and striking out seven batters. Luis Arraez scored the Marlins' lone run. The Twins bullpen also contributed to the win, with Jorge Alcala pitching two innings and Cole Sands making his 2023 debut. The Twins will face the Marlins again on Tuesday with Kenta Maeda starting for the Twins and Sandy Alcantara starting for the Marlins.