Mets release Chase Utley takeout slide victim Ruben Tejada

Mets infielder Ruben Tejada -- most well known for breaking his leg on the Chase Ultey slide during the playoffs last year -- has been released.

By Matt Snyder

Mar 16, 2016 at 2:44 pm ET • 1 min read

The Mets recently placed infielder Ruben Tejada on waivers, and now they've released him, the club has announced.

Many will remember Tejada from this "slide" in the playoffs that broke his leg:

Tejada has, however, been in the Mets' organization since 2006 and with the big club since 2010. In 116 games last season, Tejada hit .261/.338/.350 with 23 doubles.

The timing here is interesting given that Asdrubal Cabrera -- who the Mets signed this past offseason to serve as their everyday shortstop -- is shut down for a few weeks due to a knee injury. Wilmer Flores is, of course, still on the roster and can start at short until Cabrera is ready to return.

Also interesting is that the Mets couldn't find a trading partner, even for a player to be named later or cash. The Cardinals in particular could use shortsop depth right now after the Jhonny Peralta injury.

Tejada probably shouldn't be an everyday shortstop, but he's worth carrying as a backup infielder. Playing as many innings as he did for the NL champs last season should prove as much.