*Photo from the BBC*
The verdict has been handed out. Former New York Mets GM Billy Eppler has been placed on MLB's ineligible list through the end of the 2024 season for violating the league's injured list rules as announced by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Eppler will be ineligible to be employed by MLB or any club for the 2024 season as a result of the investigation launched in October. The investigation found that Eppler fabricated player injuries and improperly used the injured list during the 2022 and 2023 seasons as GM of the Mets. The conclusion was reached that Eppler did so of his own volition and was not influenced by Mets ownership.
In November 2021, Eppler was hired as the GM of the Mets and led baseball operations until he resigned following the 2023 season when David Stearns was hired as president of baseball operations. When he resigned, it was announced an investigation was opened into his handling of the injured list.
The Mets said in a statement that "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."
Before joining the Mets front office, Eppler previously served as GM of the Los Angeles Angels and spent 11 years in the New York Yankees front office, rising as high as assistant GM. Eppler succeeded Zack Scott and Jared Porter as head of Mets baseball operations after both were fired due to improper conduct.
Eppler said in a statement to Joel Sherman of the New York Post that "I cooperated fully and transparently with MLB's investigation, and I accept their decision."
Since Eppler resigned, Stearns and the Mets have not hired a GM to replace him, with assistant GM's Ian Levin and Ben Zauzmer helping Stearns run baseball operations alongside senior vice president of baseball operations Jonathan Strangio.
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