Report: Dodgers 2B Chase Utley will not be suspended for NLDS slide
Major League Baseball will not suspend Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley for the hard slide that broke the leg of New York Mets second baseman Ruben Tejada during the NLDS, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
Utley was originally given a two-game suspension in October for what was deemed an illegal slide and appealed the suspension immediately. The type of slide he made, which was away from the bag in an attempt to breakup a double play, was not banned until MLB announced new rule changes for double-play slides on Feb. 25.
The changes come in wake of Utley’s slide and another controversial late-season slide that led to a season-ending injury for Pirates shortstop Jung-Ho Kang.
• Mets’ Ruben Tejada hasn't forgiven Chase Utley for his NLDS slide
At least one former player questioned the decision, citing the repercussions that would come from an opposing pitcher intentionally hitting Utley, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
The Dodgers resigned Utley to a one-year contract this off-season.
