MLB drops Chase Utley's suspension for NLDS take-out slide

MLB has dropped Chase Utley's two-game suspension stemming from his brutal take-out slide against Ruben Tejada in last year's NLDS.

Major League Baseball has dropped the two-game suspension handed to Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley following his brutal take-out slide in last year's NLDS, MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre confirmed to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

Utley slid into Ruben Tejada while breaking up a double play in Game 2, breaking Tejada's leg. Here's the video, which I'm sure you've seen before:

MLB suspended Utley two games for the slide and he immediately appealed, allowing him to play in the remainder of the NLDS. Torre told Shaikin it would have been tough for the suspension to stand during an appeal.

"I think it would have been an issue. There wasn’t anything clear-cut to say that play violated a rule," said Torre.

MLB recently announced new take-out slide rules designed to prevent runners from leaving the base path to go after the infielder turning the double play, as Utley did with Tejada. Take-out slides are still allowed, but the runner can not longer deviate from his path to the base.

"What’s important is that we have a rule and have given these guidelines," added Torre. "We’ve eliminated guys being carried off the field. That’s good news. Hopefully the same message will be delivered under this new rule. We certainly want to keep guys on the field."

Utley, 37, signed a one-year contract worth $7 million with the Dodgers this spring and figures to serve as a backup infielder and lefty bat off the bench.

Tejada, 26, has healed from his injuries and is competing for a bench job in camp.

Chase Utley's two-game suspension has been dropped by MLB. (USATSI)