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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Drives in two runs Monday
Rotowire
Kepler went 3-for-5 with a two-run double during Arizona's 3-2 extra-inning loss to Pittsburgh on Monday.
Merrill Kelly and Mitch Keller were locked in a pitcher's duel, but Kepler was responsible for the first runs of the game with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning that plated two runs for the Diamondbacks. Kepler is slashing .235/.280/.397 with two home runs and 14 RBI across 75 plate appearances this season.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Taking seat against southpaw
Rotowire
Kepler is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.
The left-handed-hitting Kepler will head to the bench for the second time in the series while the Athletics send another southpaw (Gage Jump) to the bump for the finale. Ryan Waldschmidt will replace Kepler in left field and will bat ninth.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Lifts homer in win
Rotowire
Kepler went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and two walks in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Athletics.
This was Kepler's second multi-hit effort in a row and his fourth this season since he debuted June 26 following an 80-game suspension. The outfielder is batting .240 with a .706 OPS, two homers, 12 RBI, five runs scored and three doubles over 16 contests. Kepler has seen the bulk of the work in left field since Lourdes Gurriel (thigh) went on the injured list, though Ryan Waldschmidt is also in the mix when he's not in center field.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Delivers walk-off hit
Rotowire
Kepler went 2-for-5 with an RBI double in Sunday's 8-7 extra-inning win over St. Louis.
Kepler came through in the 10th inning with a game-winning double to the warning track to complete Arizona's comeback from a 7-0 deficit. Sunday's performance marked the outfielder's third multi-hit effort since making his season debut June 26. The results have been lackluster thus far for the 33-year-old, who's slashing .213/.235/.340 with four extra-base hits (one homer), nine RBI and four runs scored across 15 contests.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Idle Sunday
Rotowire
Kepler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
Kepler will be held out of the lineup for the second time in the series while Arizona goes with Lourdes Gurriel in left field and Ketel Marte in the designated-hitter spot. Since serving an 80-game suspension and being cleared to make his Arizona debut June 25, Kepler has produced a .554 OPS across 38 plate appearances. Until he begins to improve his offensive output, Kepler could have to settle for a part-time role.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: On bench Friday
Rotowire
Kepler isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.
Kepler will get a breather Friday after going 4-for-13 with a homer, six RBI and two runs scored during Arizona's four-game set against the Padres. His absence will allow Lourdes Gurriel to start in left field and open a spot in the lineup for Tim Tawa at first base.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Knocks in four runs Monday
Rotowire
Kepler went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional RBI in an 8-0 win against the Padres on Monday.
Kepler had Arizona's biggest hit of the game, belting a three-run homer to right field in the third inning. Prior to that, he had knocked in Arizona's second run of the contest with a single in the first frame. Kepler began the campaign serving an 80-game suspension and didn't make his Diamondbacks debut until June 26. Even with Monday's big performance, he's slashing a meager .174/.174/.348 through eight games.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Back on bench Sunday
Rotowire
Kepler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
The left-handed-hitting Kepler will hit the bench for the third time in four games, with two of his absences coming against right-handed starters. After completing an 80-game suspension to begin the season and making his Arizona debut June 25, Kepler appeared primed for a strong-side platoon role in the left field. However, Kepler's ongoing struggles appear to have cost him some playing time; he's gone just 2-for-18 at the plate through his first six games with Arizona.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Records first hits as D-back
Rotowire
Kepler went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Giants.
Kepler, who recently completed an 80-game suspension, was hitless in his first nine at-bats with Arizona before snapping that run of futility with a first-inning double. He later singled and scored in the fourth. Kepler has started four of his five games with the club, taking over the strong side of a platoon in left field with Lourdes Gurriel, who's been the team's primary designated hitter since Kepler's arrival.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Hitting bench Sunday
Rotowire
Kepler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Kepler will get a breather for the series finale after he started in left field Friday and Saturday following his reinstatement from an 80-game suspension. Lourdes Gurriel will start in left field Sunday, but Kepler appears likely to get a long look as a strong-side platoon player.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: In left field again
Rotowire
Kepler started in left field and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay.
Kepler, who was in left field for a second consecutive day since being reinstated from an 80-game suspension, is still looking for his first hit in an Arizona uniform. The left-handed batter may be the preferred option in left field against right-handers. The Diamondbacks finish out the series with the Rays on Sunday, when they are scheduled to face Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen. The right-handed hitting Lourdes Gurriel, who is also in the left field mix, was given Saturday off after serving as the designated hitter Thursday and Friday.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Makes Arizona debut
Rotowire
Kepler started in left field, batted sixth and went 0-for-2 in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Rays.
Kepler made his Diamondbacks debut after serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. He was eventually lifted for a pinch hitter when a lefty reliever entered the game in the sixth inning. Kepler figures to settle in on the strong side of a platoon in left field alongside Lourdes Gurriel, who will start there against lefties and shift to designated hitter when Kepler starts against righties, as was the case Friday.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Starting in left field
Rotowire
Kepler is starting in left field and batting fifth versus the Cardinals on Thursday.
Kepler was added to Arizona's active roster Thursday after completing his 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. The starting outfielders for the Diamondbacks on Thursday are Kepler, Tommy Troy and Corbin Carroll, with Lourdes Gurriel slotted as the designated hitter.
Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Joining active roster Thursday
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks will add Kepler (suspension) to their active roster before Thursday's game in St. Louis, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Upon completing his 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, Kepler will go directly onto the Diamondbacks' roster. The outfielder slashed .333/.474/.567 with two home runs and a 7:6 BB:K in 10 minor-league games, though much of that production came at the lower levels. Kepler gives the Diamondbacks another option in the corner outfield or at designated hitter against right-handed pitching, though he isn't guaranteed a regular role.
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Diamondbacks' Max Kepler: Lands deal with Arizona
Rotowire
Kepler (suspension) and the Diamondbacks agreed to terms Sunday on a one-year contract, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Kepler is serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance enhancing substance, but he will now have a team to return to once the ban is lifted. As a member of the Phillies in 2025, Kepler slashed .216/.300/.391 with 18 home runs, 58 runs 52 RBI and three steals over 474 plate appearances during the regular season. He'll remain on Arizona's restricted list until his suspension is concludes June 24, but he'll be able to stay sharp in the meantime by playing in minor-league games over the next couple of weeks.
Kepler was suspended 80 games by Major League Baseball on Friday for violating the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports.
He tested positive for the synthetic anabolic steroid Epitrenbolone. Kepler is a free agent after slashing just .216/.300/.391 with 18 home runs over 127 regular-season games for the Phillies in 2025. He will turn 33 next month and, between the lack of production the last two seasons and now a PED suspension, may have a difficult time landing a contract.
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