Major League Baseball has shortened the suspension handed to Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler from seven games down to four following a successful appeal, according to multiple reports released Wednesday.
The 34-year-old veteran started serving his penalty Wednesday during the Angels’ third matchup in their four-game road series against the New York Yankees. Soler will remain sidelined through Sunday when Los Angeles wraps up a three-game homestand against the San Diego Padres.
The disciplinary action stemmed from a bench-clearing brawl that erupted between the Atlanta Braves and Angels on April 7 during their regular season matchup.
The incident began when Soler launched a two-run home run against pitcher Reynaldo Lopez during his initial plate appearance. In his subsequent at-bat, Lopez drilled Soler with a pitch that struck his left hand. The situation escalated further when Lopez threw a high and tight fastball in the fifth inning that deflected off catcher Jonah Heim’s mitt and rolled to the backstop.
After glaring at Lopez for several moments, Soler charged toward the pitcher’s mound. The two players confronted each other and exchanged swings, though none of the punches connected cleanly, as teammates from both dugouts rushed onto the field. Lopez defended himself using his glove while throwing punches with his pitching hand, which was still gripping the baseball.
Braves skipper Walt Weiss ultimately brought Soler down near the first base line, helping to end the altercation.
Soler earned World Series MVP honors with Atlanta in 2021 and has since played for three different organizations, including a second stint with the Braves in 2024.
Lopez also negotiated with MLB officials and had his original suspension reduced to five games.
