(New York) Outfielder Max Kepler was suspended 80 games on Friday after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s anti-doping program.

Kepler tested positive for epirenbolone, a substance that led to the suspension of boxer Manuel Charr in 2018.

A veteran of 11 seasons of major league baseball, Kepler will turn 33 next month.

He spent last year with the Philadelphia Phillies after 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins.

Kepler hit .216 in 127 games last year with 18 home runs and 52 RBIs.

He has 179 home runs and 560 RBIs in the big leagues, with a .235 batting average.

His best season was 2019: he hit 36 ​​home runs and 90 RBIs while batting .252.

(Toronto) The Toronto Blue Jays and Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, a free agent, have agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $60 million, two sources familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday.

These sources requested anonymity because the agreement has not yet been made public.

Okamoto will receive a 5 million signing bonus, a 7 million salary this year and 16 million for each of the following three seasons.

A six-time All-Star selection, Okamoto has a .277 batting average with 248 home runs and 717 RBIs in 11 seasons in the Japanese major leagues.

He led the Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021, and 2023. He hit a home run off Kyle Freeland of the Colorado Rockies, contributing to Japan’s 3–2 victory over the United States in the final of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

According to the transfer agreement between Major League Baseball and the Japanese Professional Baseball League, a deal must be finalized by 5 p.m. Sunday.

Okamoto, 29, posted a .327 batting average with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs in 77 games last season for the Yomiuri Giants.

The Japanese, who can also play first base, injured his left elbow on May 6 while trying to throw to first base in a collision with Takumu Nakano of the Hanshin Tigers. This injury kept him sidelined until August 16th.

With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base, Okamoto would likely play primarily third base. Addison Barger started 67 times last season, Ernie Clement 66 times, Will Wagner 22 times, Isiah Kiner-Falefa six times and Buddy Kennedy once.

The Blue Jays, who have not confirmed the signing, will have to pay a transfer fee of 10.875 million to the Japanese team once the deal is finalized.

(New York) Utility player Amed Rosario signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

Rosario was acquired by the Yankees from the Washington Nationals on July 26 for right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter and minor league outfielder Browm Martinez.

Rosario had a .303 batting average with one home run and five RBIs in 16 games with New York. He became a free agent after the most recent World Series.

Rosário played shortstop, second base, third base and right fielder last campaign. Manager Aaron Boone could move him to third base along with Ryan McMahon, acquired from the Colorado Rockies on July 25.

Rosario, which celebrated its 30th^and birthday in November, is a nine-year veteran of Major League Baseball. He owns a .273 batting average with 69 home runs and 389 RBIs with the New York Mets (2017-2020), Cleveland Guardians (2021-2023), Los Angeles Dodgers (2023-2024), Tampa Bay Rays (2024), Cincinnati Reds (2024), Nationals (2025) and Yankees.

Yankees starting shortstop Anthony Volpe will begin the season on the injured list as he recovers from arthroscopic left shoulder surgery on Oct. 14. José Caballero, who arrived from the Rays on July 31, is expected to play regularly at shortstop until Volpe returns, probably not before May.