Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley has apologized to Ruben Tejada for a slide that broke the Mets shortstop’s leg, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley has apologized to Ruben Tejada for a slide that broke the Mets shortstop’s leg, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Utley texted Tejada’s teammate David Wright with the message.

“In no way shape or form was I trying to hurt Ruben [Tejada],” Utley told Rosenthal. “I slid in hard like I have for 12 years. I feel terrible about the outcome. I've reached out to Ruben via David Wright.”

Utley’s takeout slide in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the NLDS helped the Dodgers rally late to even their series with the New York Mets 1–1, but left Tejada with a broken fibula.

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It managed to secure Utley second base despite the fact neither of the two actually touched the base.

Replays showed Utley started his slide right at the second base bag, upending Tejada—who caught a throw from teammate Daniel Murphy with his back to the oncoming runner. It allowed the tying run to score, and the Dodgers added three more runs in the frame to win 5–2.

- Kenny Ducey