Nov 9, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler answers questions from the media during the MLB GM Meetings at The Conrad Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: General Manager’s Meetings
NEW YORK — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is making an example out of the New York Mets.
Manfred announced Friday that former Mets general manager Billy Eppler has been suspended through the 2024 World Series, for fabricated injuries to create open roster spots.
He said in a statement that Eppler directed “the deliberate fabrication of injuries; and the associated submission of documentation for the purposes of securing multiple improper injured list placements during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”
Eppler, 48, was the Mets general manager from November 2021 until he quit last Oct. 5, three days after owner Steven Cohen hired David Stearns as president of baseball operations. It also happened to be the same day MLB open the investigation against him.
Mets owner Steve Cohen and former manager Buck Showalter also were not mentioned in the public findings, but they investigating at least 10 questionable IL stints between 2022-23.
“I cooperated fully and transparently with MLB’s investigation, and I accept their decision,” Eppler said in his own statement.
The Mets used the IL 28 times in 2023, which was just 16th-most in the majors.
