MLB reinstates ex-Braves GM Coppolella from lifetime ban

Major League Baseball has reinstated former Atlanta Braves general manager John Coppolella from his lifetime ban, the commissioner’s office confirmed to The Athletic’s Jayson Stark.

Coppolella was originally placed on the permanently ineligible list back in 2017 for circumventing international signing rules between 2015-16. He had resigned from his post as Braves GM the month prior.

As a result of the investigation, the Braves forfeited numerous international signees from their system, including Kevin Maitan, and were also banned from signing Robert Puason, a shortstop now in the Oakland Athletics organization. The team was unable to make any international signings above $10,000 for two years and stripped of its third-round selection in the MLB Draft.

“We can confirm that Mr. Coppolella has been reinstated,” commissioner Rob Manfred told Stark. “Given the more than five years he spent on the ineligible list, the contrition he expressed and the other steps he took in response to this matter.”

Coppolella also sent a statement to Stark:

“I want to thank commissioner Manfred for granting my application for removal from the ineligible list. I am deeply appreciative of so many people who have been involved in this process, including (executive vice president of legal and operations) Bryan Seeley and (senior vice president of investigations and deputy general counsel) Moira Weinberg at Major League Baseball.

“I deeply regret and accept accountability for my actions. I want to again apologize to the Atlanta Braves organization, Major League Baseball, its fans, and especially my family and friends. I am grateful for this decision and will strive each day to honor this opportunity.”

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