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The big hitters in Tuesday night’s brawl between the Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves were each severely punished.
Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez were each suspended for seven games for their roles in the bench-clearing affair.
Lopez launched a rant at Soler, which the latter seemed to object to. Soler then charged at Lopez, and the two began trading numerous punches – few 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, April 7, 2026. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
Soler was tackled to the ground by Braves manager Walt Weiss before any major damage was done, and Lopez was forced to leave the melee.
The Angels player received a standing ovation as he returned to the dugout following his immediate ejection.
Weiss was an assistant coach the Braves 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 as a fight breaks out during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, California, April 7, 2026. (Ethan Swope/AP)
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“It’s just unfortunate, the situation and the way things happened,” López said through a translator, according to has MLB.com. “For my part, it was never my intention to hit him, at any time. So, again, it’s just a shame.”
Soler homered against López in the first inning. He is 14 for 23 with five homers and three doubles against López all-time.
“Obviously I have good numbers against him,” Soler said. “After the home run and after he got hit by a pitch, he missed too high and near 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, April 7, 2026. (Ethan Swope/AP)
Both players are appealing the suspensions. For Lopez, if the suspension holds, he would miss a start, but perhaps Atlanta could get by with the rotation to keep him sidelined at a minimum.
