Chase Utley suspended for two games following illegal slide that injured Ruben Tejada

Dodgers infielder Chase Utley has been suspended for Games 3 and 4 of the NLDS following his slide into Ruben Tejada in the seventh inning of Saturday's game.

"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."

After Utley's slide, which broke Tejada's leg and ended his season, players and pundits came out both for and against the legality of dirty slides.

Torre also said that MLB has been in discussions with the Players Association throughout the year about possibly changing rules to better protect middle infielders, similar to home plate collision rules designed to protect catches.

Utley will appeal the ruling, which would delay his suspension until after the process is complete, meaning that he might not even have to serve his suspension in the postseason if the Dodgers do not move on to the NLCS and the ruling takes longer than a few days.

Utley's agent, Joel Wolfe, issued a statement on the infielder's behalf:

"A two game suspension for a legal baseball play is outrageous and completely unacceptable. Chase did what all players are taught to do in this situation -- break up the double play. We routinely see plays at second base similar to this one that have not resulted in suspensions. Chase feels terrible about Ruben Tejada's injury and everyone who knows him knows that he would never intentionally hurt anybody. we will be appealing this suspension immediately."

MLB will likely expedite the process and they hope to have a verdict before the game tomorrow.

After the announcement, the Mets issued a subsequent statement, saying that they "completely support the decision...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."