Max Kepler DFA'd by D-Backs, Top Potential Landing Spots for MLB Playoff Races

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Sunday they designated veteran outfielder Max Kepler for assignment.

The 33-year-old missed the first half of the 2026 MLB season through suspension and signed with Arizona in early June. He struggled mightily out west, putting up a .205/.262/.303 slash line in 41 appearances.

It's reasonable to conclude Kepler's suspension has impacted his performance, but he wasn't exactly lighting it up in previous years. Just once since 2020 has he finished with an OPS+ higher than 100, which represents the league average, per Baseball Reference .

With Sunday's move, another team will have the opportunity to add Kepler for the stretch run.

The Chicago White Sox could be one option after they just announced they placed Tommy Pham on the 10-day injured list.

The San Diego Padres make theoretical sense given their lack of depth and paucity of options on the left side of the plate. They took a flier on Austin Hays despite him having a .576 OPS with the White Sox, and signing Kepler wouldn't be any different from that.

The Boston Red Sox are in a similar bind. Masataka Yoshida remains sidelined with a hamstring injury , and they have no left-handers they can bring off the bench for a platoon advantage.

Granted, the hitting splits don't help Kepler's case for being a late-season signing. He's slugging just .283 against right-handed pitching and has struck out more times (29) than he got hits (23).

Unsung heroes always emerge around this time of the year. In the case of Kepler, it's hard to find any evidence supporting the idea he'll improve with a change of scenery.

Should he want to continue his career, he may have to wait until next spring to get his next MLB chance.