Billy Eppler won’t be returning to a front office anytime soon.
The former Mets general manager was placed on MLB’s restricted list Friday after the completion of an investigation into improper use of the injured list. Eppler, who led the Mets’ baseball operations efforts during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, resigned from his position Oct. 5, a few days after the completion of the season and the hiring of president of baseball operations David Stearns.
Eppler was found to have “fabricated” injuries to place players on the IL in 2022 and 2023.
“Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations (DOI) has completed its investigation into allegations that former New York Mets General Manager Billy Eppler and other Mets employees violated MLB’s rules,” the league said in a statement. “The Mets organization and Mr. Eppler fully cooperated with MLB’s thorough review, which included interviews with over three dozen individuals, in addition to the review of relevant documents and electronic records.
“Having reviewed the results of the investigation, Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that Mr. Eppler has been placed on the Ineligible List beginning immediately for directing the following pattern of conduct in violation of MLB’s rules: improper use of Injured List placements, including 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.”
The Mets will face no further discipline and no other staffers or players were named directly in the league’s report. Owner and CEO Steve Cohen was not a part of the investigation and the league determined that Eppler called the shots without ownership’s knowledge.
“MLB’s investigation concluded that the pattern of conduct was at Mr. Eppler’s sole direction and without any involvement of Club ownership or superiors,” the league said in a statement.
MLB’s department of investigations opened an inquiry into Eppler’s use of the “phantom injured list” in October after a complaint from a staffer.
It’s common for teams to utilize the “phantom IL” to give struggling players a break. An injured list transaction allows teams to hold roster spots for players who might not have minor league options and would have to pass through waivers to receive a minor league assignment. Proper documentation to verify the injury or illness has to be obtained by a team doctor, but it’s easy to find something minor like tendinitis or inflammation in professional athletes.
By suspending Eppler, the league could be signaling a crackdown on these types of transactions. While Eppler is far from the only executive to utilize this tactic, he’s the only one being punished for it. That could change if the league decides to get serious about this issue.
Eppler will be eligible to return following the conclusion of the World Series unless the commissioner grants an application for an earlier reinstatement.
The Mets will not be elaborating on the investigation.
“The Mets have been informed of the conclusion of Major League Baseball’s investigation,” the team said in a statement. “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.”
Eppler, 48, previously worked as an assistant general manager with the Yankees before being hired as the Los Angeles Angels GM in 2015. He was fired following the conclusion of the 2020 season. The Mets signed him to a four-year contract Nov. 18, 2021.
