Manfred wants new rule to protect middle infielders

Rob Manfred wants Major League Baseball to do more to keep middle infielders safe.

The commissioner hopes to create a rule that gives infielders more protection from collisions, he told reporters in Chicago on Tuesday, similar to what the league did for collisions at home plate.

Manfred said protecting infielders is "high on our radar screen" after New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada fractured his fibula when Chase Utley of the Los Angeles Dodgers slid into him Saturday.

Utley was suspended for two games by MLB executive Joe Torre, who's responsible for player discipline. Utley's slide was deemed a violation of rule Rule 5.09(a)(13), which states a batter is out when:

(13) A preceding runner shall, in the umpire's judgment, intentionally interfere with a fielder who is attempting to catch a thrown ball or to throw a ball in an attempt to complete any play; Rule 5.09 43 Rule 5.09(a)(13) Comment (Rule 6.05(m) Comment): The objective of this rule is to penalize the offensive team for deliberate, unwarranted, unsportsmanlike action by the runner in leaving the baseline for the obvious purpose of crashing the pivot man on a double play, rather than trying to reach the base. Obviously this is an umpire's judgment play.

Utley appealed the suspension and is currently eligible to appear in the NLDS. His hearing is reportedly set for Monday, Oct. 19, after the division series concludes.