It was only a matter of time before some sort of justice was served after Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chase Utley’s hard slide into New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada.
Utley took out Tejada last night in a disgraceful attempt at trying to break up a double play during game 2 of the NLDS which took place in Los Angeles. Tejada suffered a broken leg as a result of the ‘illegal slide’ from Utley.
Now the MLB has stepped in and has elected to suspend Utley for games 3 and 4 of the NLDS. Both games are slated to take place in New York at Citi Field with Matt Harvey, who has a previous issue with Utley, taking the mound for game 3.
Following from the MLB Public Relations department twitter account.
LAD INF Utley has been suspended for Games 3 & 4 of NLDS as a result of his illegal slide in the 7th inning on Sat. pic.twitter.com/ktAjmXWFaR
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) October 12, 2015
Utley has already elected to appeal the suspension. Following from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Utley will appeal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 12, 2015
Appeal by Utley will cite a number of similar slides that did not result in discipline.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 12, 2015
If the suspension is upheld, it could mean some big problems are avoided for Game 3. There is some talk from different people around the MLB that the Mets could elect to take revenge on Utley which could mean that some potential stars could be suspended for both sides if things escalate.
