MLB suspends Chase Utley for hard slide, Utley appeals

After reviewing Chase Utley's hard slide in Game 2 of the 2015 National League Division Series, Major League Baseball has decided to suspend the Los Angeles Dodgers infielder for Games Three and Four of the series, Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre announced.  MLB's official press release deemed the play to be an "illegal slide."

Torre issued the following statement:

"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."

Utley appealed the ruling, and the Dodgers issued their own release about the play, stating that "The Dodgers stand behind Chase Utley and his decision to appeal the suspension issued tonight by Major League Baseball. The club will have no further comment at this time."

Because Utley has appealed the decision, the suspension will not begin in Game Three. Instead, the discipline will be held abeyance until the appeal process is complete.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services