Major League Baseball announced Sunday night that it was suspending Los Angel Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley for two games. The suspension relates to Utley’s slide into second base during game game two of the NLDS against the New York Mets on Saturday night. The suspension would have covered games three and four of the series, but Utley will appeal and will play until the appeal is decided.
During the seventh inning, with the Mets ahead 2-1, Utley slid into second base in an attempt to break up a potential double play. Utley was eventually ruled safe, as shortstop Ruben Tejada failed to tap the base with his foot, but the play resulted in something far more gruesome. As Utley slid, he collided with the leg of Tejada, upending him and inflicting what appeared to be a serious leg injury. Tejada suffered a fractured fibula. His postseason is now over. The Dodgers went on to win the game 5-2.
The League ruled on Sunday that, although Utley had no intention to hurt Tejada, the slide was still illegal, and therefore issued the suspension. MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre issued a statement to accompany the ruling. In his statement, he mentioned that the league had been in discussions during the year with the Player Association about changing the rules to better protect middle infielders, and that those discussions would continue into the offseason following Saturday’s incident.
The first pitch of game three of the NLDS is set for 8:07 p.m. Eastern Monday night.
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