Rob Manfred spoke with journalists (including Evan Drellich of The Athletic) before the World Series opens tonight. The conversation covered a wide range of gaming topics, including ongoing investigation in former Mets general manager Billy Eppler and potential future rule changes.
Manfred told reporters that the investigation into Eppler, which involves allegations of improper use of the injured list, is expected to be completed before the end of the calendar year. Although Manfred makes it clear that the league is not currently aware of a more widespread problem beyond the Mets, he notes that he has asked the league’s investigations department to “determine whether we have a more widespread problem important” regarding the misuse of the injured list. Although Manfred notes that the problem with the Mets is not “quite the same” as other issues the league has investigated that, in his words, “arguably affect the integrity of the game,” He still considers the Mets’ alleged violation to be a significant matter, adding that the investigation is a high priority for the league.
Of course, so-called “ghost IL” stints have been commonplace around the league for decades and have happened on every team at one time or another, with some players even openly admitting that they aren’t actually injured when they are on the set. More nebulous diagnoses such as soreness or fatigue may be used by a club to offer a struggling player a physical and mental reset while freeing up his place on the team for a period of time. While this practice is technically illegal, it is currently unclear what specific injured list transactions are involved, prompting the league to investigate Eppler and the Mets specifically for this relatively widespread practice.
Manfred also spoke about potential rule changes the league could see in the future. The 2023 season saw one of the most aggressive changes to league rules in recent years, as the league implemented a pitch clock, larger bases and shift restrictions ahead of the campaign . These changes have generally been well-received after their first season of use, and it appears the league may consider continuing to make adjustments to the rules. Specifically, Manfred acknowledged that the recent discourse around the league’s playoff format — which has seen six of the eight teams earn a first-round bye over the past three seasons — has failed to win a series — has prompted the commissioner’s office to “discuss” possible changes, although he notes he is a fan of the playoffs as they are currently designed.
“My own view on it is that our teams play very hard all year to get to the playoffs,” Manfred said. “But one of the greatest things about the playoffs in baseball is that anyone can win. …I don’t think what happened this year is that different from history.
Another change mentioned by Manfred was the possibility of lowering the maximum number of pitchers allowed on the active roster to 12. He noted that the 13-pitcher limit currently in effect has not “had the desired effect” in encouraging teams to push their starting pitchers to remain on the roster. the game longer. While the eight teams that have seen their starting pitchers throw fewer than 800 innings this season represent a notable drop from 12 in 2021, the last season before the current limit was introduced, that’s actually one more than ‘in 2022 and the same number as in 2019. through 2019, only the 2018 Rays and the 2012 Rockies had gotten fewer than 800 innings from their starting pitchers in a season this century.
Such a change would not, however, be considered for the 2024 season. Manfred did not discuss potential rule changes for the 2024 season, although he noted that any changes would be on a smaller scale after the significant rule adjustments that the sport experienced in 2023.
