Chase Utley’s agent issues statement in response to two-game suspension

LOS ANGELES – Wasserman Media Group's Joel Wolfe, the agent of Chase Utley, has issued a statement in response to the second baseman's two-game suspension that was issued Sunday evening by Major League Baseball's Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre.

"A two game suspension for a legal baseball play is outrageous and completely unacceptable. Chase did what all players are taught to do in this situation– break up the double play. We routinely see plays at second base similar to this one that have not resulted in suspensions. … We will be appealing this suspension immediately."

On Jan. 22, 2007, Wolfe finalized the largest baseball contract ever awarded to a second baseman, when the Philadelphia Phillies signed Utley to a a seven-year, $85 million contract.

Wolfe continued in his statement, "Chase feels terrible about Ruben Tejada’s injury and everyone who knows him knows that he would never intentionally hurt anybody. We will be appealing this suspension immediately.”

Utley issued a similar statement Sunday afternoon, prior to his suspension.

Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.