A Major League Baseball source told Bill Shaikin that the appeal filed by Chase Utley will not be heard until Monday, October 19th.
Utley was suspended for two games for his take-out slide that resulted in a fractured leg for Ruben Tejada. He appealed the ban immediately, and then turned down an offer by MLB to reduce it to just a one-game suspension.
If this is indeed true, it means Utley is eligible to play throughout the NLDS against the Mets.
October 12
Dodgers infielder Chase Utley has been suspended by Major League Baseball for Games 3 and 4 of the NL Division Series.
“After thoroughly reviewing the play from all conceivable angles, I have concluded that Mr. Utley’s action warrants discipline,” MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre announced.
“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.”
The Mets said in a statement:
“The New York Mets completely support the decision made by Major League Baseball to suspend Chase Utley for two games and feel this was the appropriate course of action. With this decision behind us, the team and our fans can now focus on playing winning baseball.”
However, Chase Utley will appeal the decision and could still play tomorrow so stay tuned.
If Utley’s suspension is upheld, the Dodgers would not be able to replace him on the roster. They would play Games 3 and 4 with 24 players.
Torre also revealed that MLB is working with the Players Association about possible rules changes geared to better protect middle infielders in the future.
I still think the whole situation stinks. I’m still fuming about the fact that he was called safe by the umpires which opened up the floodgates that led to the Mets loss. How are they going to fix that?
As for Utley, it takes some gall for him to not take his punishment like a man and just let the entire situation subside so hopefully both teams can focus on just playing out the rest of this series.
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According to a series of tweets from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, he has been in text communication with the Dodgers’ Chase Utley, who told him he apologized to Ruben Tejada through team captain David Wright.
“In no way shape or form was I trying to hurt Ruben,” Utley said to Rosenthal. ” I slid in hard like I have for 12 years. I feel terrible about the outcome. I’ve reached out to Ruben via David Wright.”
The slide or let’s be honest, the tackle broke Ruben Tejada’s right fibula when he barreled into him behind second base to break up a potential double play in the seventh inning on Saturday night.
I heard Utley’s press conference last night and I was looking for two words, “I’m sorry.” Instead all I got out of it was how he plays the game hard and plays the game right. Today’s apology sounds a bit too little and too late.
