After breaking New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada's leg with a vicious takeout slide in Game 2 of the NLDS, Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley was suspended for two games by the MLB. It has yet to be made official, but the MLB reportedly dropped Utley's ban on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Times broke then news Sunday after a "person familiar with the decision but not authorized to discuss it" told Bill Shaikin. Neither the Dodgers nor the MLB have yet to confirm the news, and Utley declined to comment on the matter.
Following Utley's takeout slide, the MLB promptly changed its sliding rules to go into effect before the 2016 season. The amendments were announced last month, and although they officially make Utley's slide illegal, the veteran will not serve a suspension for his actions in October.
It makes sense that Utley won't serve a suspension since his actions technically weren't regarded as illegal under the old, vague slide rules (even though Chief Baseball Office Joe Torre dubbed Utley's takeout slide as "illegal").
Check it out below:
In the eyes of many, Utley's slide was wrong, dangerous and uncalled for. With that being said, the MLB already sent its message following the approval of the new sliding rules, so suspending Utley, which was likely initially enacted to do the same, doesn't hold the same merit. The fact that the change will unofficially be dubbed the "Utley Rule" perhaps says more than enough.
Additionally, he probably won't be a full-time player for the Dodgers in 2016, as the 13-year MLB veteran has witnessed a drastic decline in recent years. The 37-year-old re-signed with Los Angeles on a one-year, $7 million deal, but the team also has Howie Kendrick and Enrique Hernandez as perhaps better options at second base. Utley could also get time at third base, but that post is occupied by Justin Turner (once he's 100 percent healthy).
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, who many would think might be irate that Utley has avoided suspension, expressed that he's just glad that the MLB decided to change the rule. Similarly, Tejada said he "didn't care" that Utley won't be suspended and he's happy to be healthy and at spring training with the Mets.
