Former Mets general manager Billy Eppler suspended for faking injuries

Former New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler was suspended from the 2024 World Series on Friday by baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, who concluded he ordered the team to fabricate injuries to create open spots on the roster.

No Mets medical or athletic training personnel were mentioned in Major League Baseball’s announcement.

Manfred said in a statement that Eppler directed “the deliberate fabrication of injuries; and the associated submission of documentation for the purpose of securing multiple placements on the Wrongfully Injured List during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”

Eppler, 48, was the Mets general manager from November 2021 until he stepped down on October 5, three days after owner Steven Cohen hired David Stearns as president of baseball operations. Eppler resigned the day the MLB investigation became public.

Mets owner Steve Cohen and former manager Buck Showalter were also not mentioned in Manfred’s public findings.

“The Mets have been informed of the conclusion of the Major League Baseball investigation. With the resignation of Billy Eppler on October 5, 2023, and with David Stearns leading the Baseball Operations team, the Mets consider the matter closed and have no further comment,” the Mets said in a statement.