NEW YORK -- Chase Utley's appeal hearing on his two-game suspension has been scheduled for Monday, according to a person familiar with the process.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because no announcement was authorized.
Utley was suspended two games by Major League Baseball Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre for his rough slide in Game 2 that broke the right leg of Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada. Utley was on the bench and didn't play in the Dodgers' 13-7 loss Monday night.
Utley will be eligible to play for the rest of the best-of-five NL Division Series against the Mets, who led 2-1 going into Game 4 Tuesday night (see full story).
Rangers: Leaning on Hamels again in ALDS
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers have won their last 11 games started by Cole Hamels.
They needed each of those victories to get this far, and their season will be over without another one Wednesday against Toronto in the decisive Game 5 of the AL Division Series.
"It's why you go out and get top performers, elite competitors ... situations exactly like this," manager Jeff Banister said Tuesday. "That's a comforting feeling that we've got a guy on the mound that's going to go for us that has been here, has done it, and is quite capable of continuing to do it."
MLB
Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP, will be pitching in a winner-take-all game for the first time when he goes against Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman in a rematch of Game 2 of the ALDS. The Rangers won 6-4 in 14 innings Friday when both starters pitched seven innings and departed with the score 4-4.
Mariners: Cano has core muscle surgery
SEATTLE -- Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano has undergone surgery to repair core muscle injuries and is expected to be OK for spring training.
Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto made the announcement Tuesday after Cano's surgery was complete.
The surgery was done in Philadelphia to fix injuries on Cano's left and right sides. The recovery time is expected to be six weeks.
The 32-year-old Cano was diagnosed with a core muscle injury on his right side in late September. A later MRI showed the injury on the left side.
Cano hit .287 with 21 home runs and 79 RBIs in 156 games this year.
Red Sox: Ramirez at 1st base?
BOSTON -- New Boston Red Sox boss Dave Dombrowski says the team is committed to playing Hanley Ramirez at first base next season.
Dombrowski says Ramirez and his representatives are also on board with the plan.
The team's president of baseball operations says he's going into next season looking for a front of the rotation starter and some arms for the bullpen. But the team is largely set with position players.
The outfield of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Rusney Castillo showed promise late last season after the Red Sox fell out of the race early. Pablo Sandoval, Zander Bogaerts and Dustin Pedroia are entrenched in the infield. David Ortiz is signed for one more year at designated hitter.
That leaves first base for Ramirez.
