Los Angeles Dodgers' Chase Utley can play until appeal heard

The appeal hearing of Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chase Utley's two-game suspension won't be heard Monday, according to multiple reports.

Utley will continue to be eligible to play until the appeal is heard, including Monday night's Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the New York Mets.

Major League Baseball on Sunday suspended Utley for two games for what the league determined as an illegal slide Saturday night into Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada, who broke his leg in the collision.

The 36-year-old Utley immediately filed an appeal. The hearing delay means Utley could be in the lineup to face Mets starter Matt Harvey on Monday night at Citi Field in the best-of-five series tied at one game apiece.

"Obviously the replay, everybody saw that it was more of a tackle than anything," Harvey said. "We're all feeling for Ruben. We're going to pick him up, and we're excited to be back at home."

The punishment stems from a controversial play in the seventh inning of Game 2 at Dodger Stadium. Utley slid late and reached high in a successful attempt to take out Tejada on a potential double-play ball. A replay review later ruled Utley safe at second base because Tejada missed the bag -- even though Utley also missed the bag -- and the play keyed a four-run, rally that led Los Angeles to a 5-2 lead and eventual win.

Tejada's leg was immediately placed in an air cast, and he was carted off the field. The Mets replaced Tejada on their roster Sunday, calling up infielder Matt Reynolds to replace him.

"Chase did what all players are taught to do in this situation -- break up the double play," Utley's agent, Joel Wolfe, said in a statement. "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."

Umpires ruled the play legal during the game, but MLB announced the two-game suspension for Utley on Sunday night.

"I recognize that there has been much commentary and many questions regarding the unfortunate play in last night's game in which Ruben Tejada was injured," MLB's chief baseball officer Joe Torre said in a statement Sunday night. "As I said after the game, the determination of whether a runner has intentionally interfered with a player attempting to turn a double play is left to the judgment of the umpire on the field, and that judgment call is not subject to review.

"I should add that determining where to draw the line between an illegal slide and a legitimate hard play is an extremely difficult call for our umpires. However, after thoroughly reviewing the play from all conceivable angles, I have concluded that Mr. Utley's action warrants discipline. While I sincerely believe that Mr. Utley had no intent 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.

"We have been in discussions with the Players Association throughout the year regarding potential rule changes to better protect middle infielders, and we intend to continue those discussions this offseason."

The Mets have said they support the decision to suspend Utley.