Call it the Chase Utley rule. Better late than never.
After multiple players suffered serious injuries last season — including Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada in the playoffs against Utley and the Dodgers in October — Major League Baseball has updated its rules on takeout slides at second base.
According to new rule 6.01 (j), “slides on potential double plays will require runners to make a bona fide attempt to reach and remain on the base.” The rule also states that “Runners may still initiate contact with the fielder as a consequence of an otherwise permissible slide. A runner will be specifically prohibited from changing his pathway to the base or utilizing a “roll block” for the purpose of initiating contact with the fielder.