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The big hitters from Tuesday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves have been punished harshly.
Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Braves pitcher Reynaldo López each received seven-game suspensions for their roles in the bench-clearing affair.
López threw a pitch towards Soler, to which the latter seemed to take offense. Soler then attacked López and the two began exchanging numerous blows, not many of which landed.
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Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler charges Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez on the mound during an MLB game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on April 7, 2026. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
Soler was tackled to the ground by Braves manager Walt Weiss before any significant damage was done, and López was forced out of the scrum.
The Angels player received a standing ovation as he walked back to the dugout following his immediate ejection.
Weiss was an assistant coach with the brave in 2021 when the Braves won the World Series. Soler was the World Series MVP that year. He and López were teammates in 2024.
Jorge Soler of the Los Angeles Angels is tackled to the ground by Atlanta Braves players when a fight breaks out during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, California, on April 7, 2026. (Ethan Swope/AP)
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“It’s a shame about the situation and how things developed,” López said through a translator, according to to MLB.com. “On my part, there was never any intention to hit him at any time. So, again, it’s a shame.”
Soler hit a home run off López in the first inning. He is 14 for 23 with five home runs and three doubles against Lopez all-time.
“Obviously I have good numbers against him,” Soler said. “After the home run and after being hit by a pitch, he missed too high and close to my head. At this level, you can’t miss like that.”
A fight breaks out during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Atlanta Braves in Anaheim, California, on April 7, 2026. (Ethan Swope/AP)
Both players are appealing the suspensions. For Lopez, if the suspension stands, he would miss a start, but perhaps Atlanta could manage with the rotation to keep him sidelined to a minimum.
