GLENDALE, Arizona – Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chase Utley says he is relieved Major League Baseball rescinded his two-game suspension for a slide in last year’s NL playoffs that left New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada with a broken leg.
Utley said Joe Torre, MLB’s chief baseball officer, told him a few weeks ago that the penalty had been withdrawn.
“I think it’s a relief for everybody,” Utley said Monday. “We can put this behind us and focus on baseball.”
Torre imposed the penalty Oct. 11, a day after Tejada was injured by the takeout slide at second base.
According to Utley, Torre told him the slide was similar to others he reviewed.
“There were no penalties then,” Utley said, “so, they rescinded the suspension.”
MLB recently changed the rule on such rolling block slides.
Utley expressed regret that Tejada was hurt.
“I can’t say enough about how terrible I feel at what happened to Ruben,” he said “I had no intent to hurt him whatsoever. Anybody who thinks I did, they’re completely wrong. I’m happy to hear he’s healthy and in camp. Nobody is happier about that than me.”
