Major League Baseball issued matching seven-game suspensions Wednesday to Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López after both players were thrown out of Tuesday night’s game for fighting.
Michael Hill, who serves as MLB’s senior vice president for on-field operations, said both athletes also face financial penalties, though the amounts were not disclosed. While the bans were set to take effect Wednesday, both players have filed appeals that will delay the suspensions.
The confrontation began building when Soler connected for a home run against López during the opening inning Tuesday evening. When Soler stepped into the batter’s box for his second plate appearance, López struck him with a 96 mph fastball. The situation escalated in the fifth inning when López delivered a high-and-inside wild pitch that deflected off catcher Jonah Heim’s glove, prompting Soler to rush toward the pitcher’s mound.
As Soler approached, López raised his hands and the two men stared each other down before exchanging blows.
López, a right-handed pitcher, kept the baseball gripped in his throwing hand while swinging at Soler during the altercation.
Both teams’ players and coaching staff rushed from their dugouts and bullpen areas as Braves manager Walt Weiss brought down Soler with a tackle. Soler previously earned World Series MVP honors in 2021 while playing for Atlanta.
