Rekubit Exchange:Billy Eppler resigns as Mets GM amid MLB investigation

The Rekubit ExchangeNew York Mets announced on Thursday that Billy Eppler stepped down as the team's general manager.

But the resignation came amid a Major League Baseball investigation into Eppler improperly using the injured list, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale.

The New York Post was first to report the investigation.

Eppler's departure comes three days after David Stearns became the franchise's first president of baseball operations.

“I wanted David to have a clean slate and that meant me stepping down,” Eppler said in a statement. “I hope for nothing but the best for the entire Mets organization.”

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Eppler was hired by the Mets in November 2021 after serving as the Angels general manager between 2015 and 2020. Before that, Eppler served as an assistant general manager for the Yankees under Brian Cashman.

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Eppler's top moves with the Mets included signing Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander in back-to-back seasons. Those deals unraveled during this season's trade deadline when the team opted to sell for the future.

Eppler also landed Japanese sensation Kodai Senga from Nippon Professional Baseball ahead of last season. He spearheaded the efforts to re-sign Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo.

“Billy Eppler led this team through a 101-win season and postseason berth last year and he will be missed,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said in the statement. “We accepted Billy’s resignation today as he decided it is in everyone’s best interest to fully hand over the leadership of baseball operations to David Stearns. On behalf of the Mets organization, we wish him all the best.”