Major League Baseball has suspended Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López for seven games each following Tuesday night’s brawl in Atlanta. The league also imposed undisclosed fines, with both players appealing the disciplinary measures.
The suspensions were due to begin on Wednesday but have been stayed pending appeal. Soler, who started in right field and batted fourth in the series finale, was involved in the altercation after being hit by a pitch and then charging the mound in the fifth inning.
Soler had homered off López in the first inning and was later struck by a 96mph fastball. When López threw a high-and-inside wild pitch that tipped off catcher Jonah Heim’s mitt, Soler began walking towards the mound. Both players exchanged words and then threw punches, with López holding the ball in his right hand as he swung at Soler’s helmet.
Players and coaches from both benches rushed onto the field. Braves manager Walt Weiss tackled Soler, whom he described as a “big man” on a “warpath”, adding that he acted to prevent someone from being hurt. Soler said he approached the mound because he did not like López’s response to his question, while López insisted he had no intention of hitting him.
The pair were teammates with Atlanta during the second half of the 2024 season. Soler had been especially productive against López, with 14 hits in 23 at-bats, including five home runs and three doubles. The Braves won Tuesday’s game 7-2.
