MLB suspends Dodgers' Utley for 2 playoff games, citing 'illegal slide'

last updated 12 October 2015

Late Sunday, Major League Baseball handed down a two-game suspension to Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chase Utley, who helped the Dodgers beat the New York Mets on Saturday when he broke Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada's femur with a hard, controversial slide at second base. MLB chief operations officer Joe Torre said that "determining where to draw the line between illegal slide and a legitimate hard play is an extremely difficult call for our umpires," but "after thoroughly reviewing the play from all conceivable angles, I have concluded that Mr. Utley's action warrants discipline." He added that while he "sincerely" believed Utley didn't mean to injure Tejada, "I believe his slide was in violation of Official Baseball Rule 5.09(a)(13)."

The Mets, who face the Dodgers for Game 3 of the now-tied National League Division Series on Monday night, said they "completely support the decision" and "feel this was the appropriate course of action." Utley, through his agent, disagreed and vowed to appeal the decision. "A two-game suspension for a legal baseball play is outrageous and completely unacceptable," said agent Joel Wolf. The appeal would allow Utley to play until the process was complete, The Associated Press notes, meaning he may face Mets pitcher Matt Havery on Monday night.

Before MLB issued its suspension, Harvey didn't rule out retaliating against Utley. "As far as sticking up for your teammates, I think being out there and doing what's right is exactly what I'm going to do," he said Sunday. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that his team was ready for any trouble in the game: "We really don't start anything, but we've never backed away."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.