Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler has reportedly received a nearly year-long ban after an investigation found he made fraudulent injury report claims to gain roster spots during the 2023 MLB season.
When Billy Eppler was hired to oversee the Mets in 2021, there was great hope that he be the man who could bring consistent winning ways back to Flushing. In his two seasons, it was the best of times and worst of times as they won 101 games in 2022 but shockingly underperformed last year.
Due to the Mets’ stunning results in 2023, owner Steve Cohen decided to bring in a new team president and Eppler was expected to remain in his position as GM under former Milwaukee Brewers executive David Stearns. However, not long after Stearns officially took over the reins, Eppler shockingly resigned due to a league investigation regarding injury reporting this past season.
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‘Deliberate fabrication of injuries’ leader to 10-month suspension for Former New York Mets GM
Well, on Friday the hammer finally dropped and MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the 48-year-old GM turned agent, turned GM again would be suspended through the 2024 World Series.
A statement from Manfred claimed Eppler engaged in “the deliberate fabrication of injuries; and the associated submission of documentation to secure multiple improper injured list placements during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”
ESPN reports that Eppler lied about injuries for as many as a dozen players in 2023 and the investigation originally began after a tip, shockingly, from within the organization. No New York Mets medical or training personnel were mentioned in the statement, nor were owner Steve Cohen or former manager Buck Showalter.
“The Mets have been informed of the conclusion of Major League Baseball’s investigation. With Billy Eppler’s resignation on October 5, 2023, and with David Stearns leading the Baseball Operations team, the Mets consider the matter closed and will have no further comment,” the organization said in a statement.