Breadcrumb Trail Links
Atlanta pitcher punched the L.A. Angels slugger while holding a baseball in violent scene as benches cleared
Published Apr 08, 2026 • Last updated 47 minutes ago • 2 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Los Angeles Angels’ Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves’ Reynaldo López fight during the fifth inning of Tuesday night’s game. AP PhotoArticle content
A disagreement between Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez and Angels slugger Jorge Soler sparked a bench-clearing brawl on Tuesday night, with both throwing punches at each other.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors
Article content
Soler was at the plate during the fifth inning when he took exception to a pitch from Lopez that came in high and inside, going all the way to the backstop.
Article content
Article content
As catcher Jonah Heim retrieved the ball and fired to second base in effort to gun down Nolan Schanuel, who advanced on the wild pitch, Soler and Lopez exchanged some heated words.
Your Midday Sun
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Soler began to approach the mound after Lopez received a new ball from Heim – that’s when things quickly escalated.
Soler dropped the bat and charged at Lopez, with both players throwing punches at each other.
Benches and bullpens cleared as the players landed some serious punches before Soler eventually was taken down by Braves manager Walt Weiss while other players stepped in to separate the two.
During the initial chaos, Lopez appears to clock Soler while still holding onto the baseball – a move that could’ve caused serious damage had it not connected with Soler’s batting helmet.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
What did the players say after the game?
“I asked him if everything was OK and the answer he gave me, I didn’t like it,” Soler said through a translator after the game, according to MLB.com. “That’s why I went out there.”
Soler said he believed that Lopez was looking for payback after taking him deep for a home run earlier in the game.
“Obviously, I have good numbers against him,” Soler said. “After the home run and getting hit by a pitch after that, and then he missed way too high and close to my head. At this level, you can’t miss like that.”
Lopez said that he had no intention of hitting Soler.
“It’s just a shame, the situation and how things unfolded,” Lopez said through a translator. “On my part, there was never any intent to hit him at any point. So, again, it’s just a shame.”
Read More
Blue Jays manager John Schneider loses it as Dodgers hand his punchless club sixth consecutive loss
Blue Jays injury woes pile up as Alejandro Kirk has surgery, Addison Barger goes to IL and Patrick Corbin called up to help
Advertisement 5
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Both players were ejected from the game and MLB has yet to rule if any further punishment will be issued.
Jeimer Candelario replaced Soler at the plate for the at-bat while Tyler Kinley took the mound for Atlanta and eventually collected the victory as the Braves went on to win the contest 7-2.
Players had been teammates
Soler previously played twice for the Braves in his career and had been teammates with Lopez during the 2024 season in Atlanta.
“I love Soler. We were teammates here,” Weiss said. “But that’s a big man, and so I just felt I’ve gotta get him off his feet because he’s gonna hurt somebody. And so that was my instinct, just to get in there and get Jorge off his feet, yeah, because he was on a warpath.”
Article content
Share this article in your social network