MLB suspends Dodgers' Utley for two games
Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley was suspended for two games by Major League Baseball for a slide the broke the leg of Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada in Game 2 of the NLDS on Saturday night.
MLB announced in a press release Sunday night that the suspension, handed down as the result of an “illegal slide,” would have covered Games 3 and 4 of the NLDS, but CBS Sports baseball Insider Jon Heyman has confirmed Utley will appeal the suspension.
The decision to suspend was made by MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre. Here’s Torre’s statement in full:
“I recognize that there has been much commentary and many questions regarding the unfortunate play in last night’s game in which Ruben Tejada was injured. As I said after the game, the determination of whether a baserunner has intentionally interfered with a player attempting to turn a double play is left to the judgment of the Umpire on the field, and that judgment call is not subject to review. I should add that determining where to draw the line between an illegal slide and a legitimate hard play is an extremely difficult call for our Umpires.
“However, after thoroughly reviewing the play from all conceivable angles, I have concluded that Mr. Utley’s action warrants discipline. While I sincerely believe that Mr. Utley had no intention of injuring Ruben Tejada, and was attempting to help his Club in a critical situation, I believe his slide was in violation of Official Baseball Rule 5.09 (a)(13), which is designed to protect fielders from precisely this type of rolling block that occurs away from the base.
“We have been in discussions with the Players Association throughout the year regarding potential rule changes to better protect middle infielders, and we intend to continue those discussions this offseason.”
With Utley’s appeal — which MLB is said to be hearing sometime Monday before the series continues — his suspension will be held in abeyance until the process is completed. Here’s a statement by Utley’s agent, Joel Wolfe:
“A two game suspension for a legal baseball play is outrageous and completely unacceptable. Chase did what all players are taught to do in this situation — break up the double play. We routinely see plays at second base similar to this one that have not resulted in suspensions. Chase feels terrible about Ruben Tejada’s injury and everyone who knows him knows that he would never intentionally hurt anybody. We will be appealing this suspension immediately.”
In a TV interview Sunday night during Game 3 of the ALDS between the Rangers and Blue Jays, Rosenthal partially quoted that statement to Torre, who replied:
“I can’t worry about what’s happened in the past. We’re trying to have rules that are going to keep these players on the field.”
Here is the play in question, which resulted in Tejada fracturing his fibula.
Game 3 of the best-of-five NLDS between the Dodgers and Mets is set to take place in New York’s Citi Field Monday night at 8:07 p.m. ET. The series is tied, one game apiece.
Chase Utley has been suspended for two games. (USATSI)
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