Former Mets GM Billy Eppler suspended through World Series for fabricating injuries

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Former Mets GM Billy Eppler suspended through World Series for fabricating injuries

BY RONALD BLUM
Updated 2:20 PM EST, February 9, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler was suspended through the 2024 World Series on Friday by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, who concluded he directed team staff to fabricate injuries to create open roster spots.

Manfred 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.”

Use of the so-called “phantom injured list” is thought to be common throughout baseball, but Eppler is the first to be disciplined.

“I cooperated fully and transparently with MLB’s investigation, and I accept their decision,” Eppler said in a statement.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/billy-eppler-suspended-mlb-0bc8f0f955645f8afacd5d4b70d07895

[dem4decades]

1. He should have just reported them as lousy.

[WestMichRad]

3. That's what demotion to the minor leagues is for.

[dem4decades]

4. I'm no expert but some players cannot be sent down because they're out of options. I think they have to be

put on waivers first, then another team can claim them. Then they would lose them. At least that's what I think what's going on.

[WestMichRad]

5. Yeah, that's right.

When a player is put on the Injured List, he can be sent to the minors on a rehab assignment, and that doesn’t count against the number of options for that player. (Thus giving teams a way to cheat the system.)

[Ziggysmom]

2. This has been going on forever! All teams do it. Now MLB wants to make an

example of someone?