Chase Utley not planning on retiring, wants to play in 2016

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley is not planning on retiring before the 2016 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley is not planning on retiring before the 2016 season, his agent told Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

“One hundred percent he is playing next year,” Utley’s agent, Joel Wolfe, said.

After 13 years with the Philadelphia Phillies, Utley was traded to the Dodgers in August. Los Angeles will likely decline his $15 million option for next season, which will allow him to explore the free agent market this off-season.

The six-time All Star had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2015, batting .212 with a .286 on-base percentage and a .343 slugging percentage, all career lows.

If Utley signs with a team this off-season, he is scheduled to be suspended for the first two games of the year for his hard slide into New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada during the NLDS. Utley has appealed the suspension, but no date has been set for the hearing. 

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- Erin Flynn