Angels' Jorge Soler appeals seven-game suspension after brawl with Braves' Reynaldo López

Soler and López were both suspended for their roles in the bench-clearing altercation at Angel Stadium.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:06pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a baseball brawl, with players' bodies and the field of play broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.A cubist interpretation of the heated on-field altercation between Angels slugger Jorge Soler and Braves pitcher Reynaldo López, capturing the intensity and chaos of the bench-clearing brawl.Anaheim Today

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López have both been suspended for seven games by MLB following a bench-clearing brawl during Tuesday's game at Angel Stadium. Soler and López are appealing their suspensions, which were issued after the two players exchanged punches on the mound in the fifth inning.

Why it matters

The incident between Soler and López reignites a history between the two players and their respective teams. Soler previously played for the Braves, winning a World Series and World Series MVP with the team in 2021, while López had a brief stint with the Angels in 2023. The brawl is the latest in a series of high-profile incidents that have made the Angels a must-watch team this season.

The details

The altercation began in the bottom of the fifth inning when Soler, who had already hit a two-run home run earlier in the game, dodged an up-and-in pitch from López. Soler took issue with the pitch and stared down the Braves pitcher, leading to an exchange of words. Soler then charged the mound and the two players began throwing punches, with López still holding the baseball in his hand. The benches cleared, and Angels manager Walt Weiss, who was Soler's bench coach during his time with the Braves, wrapped up Soler's legs to prevent him from further escalating the situation.

  • The incident occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning of Tuesday's game between the Angels and Braves.
  • Both Soler and López have been suspended for seven games by MLB for their roles in the brawl.
  • Soler and López are currently appealing their suspensions, making them eligible to play until a final decision is made.

The players

Jorge Soler

A Los Angeles Angels outfielder who previously played for the Atlanta Braves, winning a World Series and World Series MVP with the team in 2021.

Reynaldo López

An Atlanta Braves pitcher who had a brief stint with the Los Angeles Angels in the tail-end of the 2023 season.

Walt Weiss

The current manager of the Atlanta Braves, who was previously Soler's bench coach during his time with the Braves.

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What they’re saying

“Both Soler and López have been suspended for seven games for their roles in the altercation, per a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan.”

— Jeff Passan, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

Since both Soler and López are appealing their suspensions, they will remain eligible to play until a final decision is made by MLB.

The takeaway

The bench-clearing brawl between Soler and López is the latest in a series of high-profile incidents that have made the Angels a must-watch team this season, highlighting the ongoing tensions and rivalries between players and teams in Major League Baseball.