The Diamondbacks introduced a one-year take care of outfielder Max Kepler. The signing gained’t but influence Arizona’s 40-man roster or lively roster, as Kepler remains to be on the restricted record whereas serving an 80-game PED suspension.
Information broke final January about Kepler’s constructive check for the PED referred to as Epitrenbolone, and with Kepler nonetheless on the free agent market, his camp and Main League Baseball labored out an settlement for Kepler to serve his 80-game suspension even when he didn’t land a brand new contract. Since Kepler didn’t signal till now, he has been serving his 80-game suspension as if he was nonetheless a member of the Phillies (his former staff).
Philadelphia performed its sixty fifth sport of the season at this time, so the ultimate 15 video games of Kepler’s suspension presumably now adhere to the Diamondbacks’ schedule. This makes June 25 the primary day Kepler is eligible to participate within the 2026 season, so he’ll get a few weeks of ramp-up time within the minor leagues earlier than making his D’Backs debut.
Monetary phrases of the signing weren’t revealed, however it may be assumed Kepler can be receiving a reasonably small assured wage prorated over the rest of the 2026 marketing campaign. Even earlier than the suspension, Kepler was doubtless going through a troublesome market given his lack of manufacturing with the Phillies final yr. He hit .216/.300/.391 with 18 dwelling runs over 474 plate appearances, and even these modest numbers now come beneath the cloud of the PED suspension.
Kepler has supplied virtually precisely league-average offense over his 11 MLB seasons, as he had a 101 wRC+ from a profession slash line of .235/.316/.425 over 1199 PA with the Twins and Phillies. Kepler posted a 122 wRC+ in each 2019 and 2023 and a 109 wRC+ in the course of the shortened 2020 season, however he has in any other case been a subpar hitter in his different eight seasons.
The left-handed hitter has struggled in opposition to southpaw pitching for a lot of his profession, limiting Kepler’s effectiveness as a real on a regular basis participant. Kepler has expressed some frustration over a platoon function previously, reminiscent of final June when he stated “I signed right here [in Philadelphia] being advised that I used to be going to be the beginning on a regular basis left fielder” after he wasn’t within the lineup for 3 straight video games when the Phils confronted left-handed starters.
Whereas naturally extra productive in opposition to right-handed pitching, Kepler hasn’t actually been a righty-masher, as he has hit a good however uninspiring .240/.324/.446 over his profession with the platoon benefit. Most of Kepler’s success in opposition to righties got here earlier in his profession, as he has batted simply .237/.315/.408 in 1436 PA in opposition to righties since Opening Day 2022.
Past the offense, Kepler additionally contributed excellent proper discipline protection throughout his prime years as a daily within the Twins lineup. His defensive metrics, nonetheless, have dipped as he has battled knee issues in recent times, and the transfer to the seemingly simpler left discipline place in Philadelphia resulted in +2 Defensive Runs Saved and 0 Outs Above Common over 773 1/3 innings (which represented the primary time Kepler had ever performed left in his profession).
Corbin Carroll clearly has proper discipline lined in Arizona, so Kepler will doubtless act as a left fielder and DH in opposition to right-handed pitching. The Diamondbacks have been identified to be on the lookout for left-handed hitting assist, provided that outfielders Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jordan Lawlar, Ryan Waldschmidt, and Tommy Troy are all right-handed hitters. By the point Kepler is eligible for reinstatement, Gurriel ought to be again from the hamstring pressure that has sidelined him for final couple of weeks, and Lawlar (at the moment on a Triple-A rehab task) ought to be again from the damaged wrist that has stored him on the IL for over two months.
It ought to be famous that Kepler’s wage is probably going sufficiently small that the D’Backs would really feel snug releasing Kepler (or designating him for task) if he doesn’t produce. This looks as if purely a depth transfer for the Snakes as they proceed to attempt to work out two-thirds of their outfield image, and a little bit of a flier to see what Kepler may need within the tank in his age-33 season. Nonetheless Kepler would possibly contribute to Arizona’s postseason chase, he’s ineligible to take part on this yr’s playoffs, as per the phrases of PED suspensions.
