A former pitcher who played under Billy Eppler is now questioning why the former Mets general manager received “special treatment” for how he used the disabled list.
On Friday, Eppler was placed on MLB’s ineligible list for the entire 2024 season for “improper use of the injured list, including intentionally fabricating an injury.” Submission of relevant documentation aimed at securing multiple inappropriate injury list placements during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. ”
Tommy Hunter, who pitched for the Mets from 2021 to 2023, said his former boss wasn’t much different than any other GM he played for, including during the two years of Eppler’s tenure.
In 2021, his first year with the team under then-interim GM Zack Scott, Hunter was placed on the 10-day IL due to a back injury, which was later changed to 60 days, before being traded to the Rays. Ta.
Hunter landed on the IL the following season with three back issues and rejoined the Mets with Coach Eppler.
Mr. Hunter hit the IL again in 2023 with a “back spasm” before being released on June 13th.
MLB’s investigation interviewed more than 30 people related to Eppler’s use of the “phantom IL,” but Hunter was not among them, according to Joel of the Post. Sherman and Dan Martin reported.
“It’s crazy that Billy was chosen,” Hunter told the Post on Friday. “That’s a bit mind-boggling. There were multiple backs. [issues] And no one in MLB talked to me. I don’t know what their strategy was.it’s no secret what’s going on [with the phantom IL]So it seems unfair to go after one person.
“I feel bad for Billy. … He didn’t do anything different than any other GM I’ve ever been around.”
The Phantom IL essentially allows teams to keep players (often bench players without minor league options) in-house without losing players to other clubs.
Talk on his YouTube channel After the news broke, former Mets relief pitcher Trevor May said that phantom IL use was an “epidemic” when he was going through the minor leagues, but when he plays with Eppler in 2022. He added that he did not feel anything unusual.
In May of that year, the right-hander went to the IL with triceps inflammation and did not return to the major league club until August.
He reached the IL once again in September.
“I don’t really remember a situation where I was like, ‘Hey, isn’t that the phantom IL?’ You shouldn’t do that in the big leagues. And before you ask, my stress response was real. , I was gone for three months — it’s hard to fake that,” May said in the 10-minute video.
“I really liked Billy Eppler as a person. I thought he was a stand-up guy. He was always very honest with me and we always had candid conversations. And I always knew he had my best interests at heart, and I was grateful for that.”
MLB said Eppler had been investigated for 10 questionable interleague games during his time with the Mets, and that he cooperated with the investigation and accepted the decision.
If the organization decides to hire him, he could return after the 2024 World Series.
