MLB suspends Soler, Lopez 7 games for Angels-Braves fight
Major League Baseball suspended Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez each for seven games following their roles in a benches-clearing brawl during Tuesday's game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The incident occurred in the fifth inning after Lopez threw a pitch up and in on Soler, prompting Soler to charge the mound and exchange punches with Lopez. Braves manager Walt Weiss tackled Soler to the ground amid the scrum, and both players were ejected.
Soler had homered off Lopez in the first inning. Soler received a standing ovation from the Angel Stadium crowd as he returned to the dugout. Lopez, speaking through a translator, denied intent to hit Soler. Soler cited his strong history against Lopez and the pitch's location near his head.
Soler is 14-for-23 lifetime against Lopez with five home runs and three doubles. Soler earned World Series MVP honors with the Braves in 2021, when Weiss served as an assistant coach for the world champions. Soler and Lopez were teammates in 2024.
Both players plan to appeal the suspensions. Lopez's ban, if upheld, would cost him one start.
