3:50pm: Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that MLB and López reach a settlement whereby his suspension is reduced to five games and he will start serving it immediately. It’s not clear if that includes today’s game, which started a few minutes after the suspension announcement.
Grant Holmes started for Atlanta today and the club is off tomorrow. On Friday, they start a series against the Guardians with Bryce Elder, Martín Pérez and Chris Sale scheduled to start. After that, they being a series against the Marlins. López’s turn in the rotation would have been the first game of that Miami series. Atlanta could instead go for Holmes on normal rest or turn to swingman José Suarez. They have Didier Fuentes and Víctor Mederos on optional assignment and could recall one of those two for a spot start.
3:00pm: Major League Baseball has announced that Angels outfielder Jorge Soler and Braves right-hander Reynaldo López have each been suspended for seven games and given undisclosed fines in relation to last night’s brawl. Both players are appealing and can continue to play until the appeals process has been completed.
López started last night’s contest for Atlanta. In the first inning, Soler launched a two-run home run off him. In the bottom of the third, Lopez hit Soler with a pitch. Soler came up again in the fifth and López threw a pitch up and in. The pitch didn’t hit Soler but he clearly took exception to it and stared López down for an extended period of time. The two exchanged words before Soler charged the mound and the two threw punches towards each other, as seen in this video from BravesVision. Both were ejected after that melee.
Players given suspensions for on-field infractions cannot be replaced on the roster. That means that the two clubs will have to play short-handed at some point. That will be on pause for now while the players are appealing.
Photo courtesy of William Navarro, Imagn Images
I wonder what they thought of each other when they played
They didn’t
When they both played baseball? Or symphonic wind ensemble, band camp? Heard solar didn’t appreciate the water balloon attacks. Reylo is funny that way
Reading some of the replies below makes me think some of you guys have never put on a glove. Soler charged the mound for multiple reasons. He had history with Lopez and the team was tired of getting thrown at by the Mariners and now the Braves. A 6’4 235 lb man decided to pound someone in response. I don’t blame him.
Exactly. FAFO in full effect. There are plenty of reason guys get hit in this game. Not being able to get a guy out, doesn’t qualify. Lopez is trash, and once again, the guy who threw the pitches, multiple pitches I might add, gets off light. Soler shouldn’t serve a day for charging that weakstick.
Why the same number of games?
Lopez was just as much of an instigator as Soler, but Lopez hit Soler with a baseball. One missed one start and the other misses a week.
That’s insane. Screw the person that made this decision.
Ik you are a angels fans im a Braves fan but a pitcher doesn’t play 162 a hitter does so it is really about the position
@gobraves. 7 games for a pitcher would be close to 3 games for soler. I think he was talking about the games 7 days is one start. 7 days is 7 days for soler, and Lopez did start it. He waved him to charge the mound.
How did Lopez start it- him starting it would be charging the plate. Solee doesn’t leave the batter box no harm no foul no fight
If you don’t get paid for suspended games, it is the same for a pitcher and a position player for deterrent purposes, only the team is impacted differently.
It’s equal because down one roster spot for each team 7 gms
Dumpster, I didn’t say started it. I said he was just as much of an instigator. And he was.
What really gets me is Lopez took an overhand right to Soler’s head, and hit him, baseball first, right in the helmet. He wasn’t going for the helmet.
If he drops the ball and throws a punch, fine. I wouldn’t be outranged, that stuff happens. But Soler was lucky he was wearing a helmet.
I’ve never seen that, and to get the minimum suspension using a baseball like that, gets me mad.
I don’t care Soler got seven games. I care Lopez is only getting five.
I dunno, unless the highlight is not showing the whole exchange, Reylo appears to shrug and does not egg him on. Then when Soler goes into Key n Peele slap assy mode Reylo backs up progressively trying to get away from the whirling dervish moves in “Give me 3 steps” fashion. Reylo might have been conveniently ignorant at how Soler might react but at no point does he appear to escalate. I was expecting Roger Clemens-Travis Bickle “you looking at me” attitude from all the excited pearl clutching here. Look at Reylo’s reaction after each event: the HR, HBP, wild pitch. Hes as calm as can be which fits his laid back personality. Pitcher has to have some freedom to work the plate.
@dumpster. Soler was giving him a death stare, and Lopez said something and raised his hands. Im guessing something like let’s go. If soler was lipping off the catcher or umpire would’ve grabbed him it was Lopez and his suspension was reduced to 5. The whole thing could’ve been a misunderstanding but they were teammates so who knows. I dont think it was a accident, and soler didn’t either. Also using equipment isn’t allowed in fights Lopez did.
I wasnt there but successive watches of the replay seem like much ado about nothing. None of the slaps landed, Reylo backed away and was pretty calm except for the self defense baseball. Mike Trout saunters over and issues Reylo a calm rejoinder, almost a bear hug. If things were heated or Reylo was inflaming the situation, don’t think Trout and Lopez would be that calm.
@dumpster trout was a teammate for a cup of coffee. He was hurt but he still showed up. It’s like a combination of both teams, but Suzuki was saying soler is a calm dude. Wondering if there was some underlying issues or just the fact he rakes on Lopez.
Of course Lopez started it. He threw a baseball at Soler twice because the big baby was mad because he homered off of him. Duh. But apparently some of you think that it’s okay to take a chance of hurting someone with a pitch thrown over 90 mph so you can get a little revenge.
Lopez was the sole instigator.
It was obviously no accident.
Lopez was the main instigator, first by drilling him and then by throwing over his head. If can’t Soler out, make better pitches. Don’t throw at people
But where is Lopez supposed to throw if not over his head: under his head? Soler is pretty much standing over the plate. Pitchers need some leeway as well with the strike zone. As that 80s English reggae guy says: “Dont Stand So Close to Me plate”
Lopez had 2 strikes on Soler and was one out away from qualifying for the win. Yes, Lopez threw a ball up but it wasn’t as if it was under his chin. Even the announcers were saying that he didn’t have intent. Once Soler stared Lopez down, Lopez put his hands up and that’s what instigated it.
I’m a Yankees fan and this is BS. Ever since Hill took over administering discipline from Torre, the process has become a joke. This discipline clearly says that Soler is far more culpable than Lopez, when the opposite is clearly true.
Skyrider ignores that in three at bats in the game, Soler homered in the first (his fifth in 23 at bats aginst Lopez), Lopez hit him in the third and then threw high and tight on the first pitch in the fifth (there were not 2 strikes). The Atlanta announcers said there was no intent (of course they would), the Angels announcers didn’t.
Replays shows that Soler came to the mound only after Lopez calls him out.
Apparently Hill is unfamiliar with the fact that seven games for a hitter is far more severe a penalty than for a starting pitcher, who will miss only one game. Baseball has to do more to protect hitters from intentional HBPs. The initiation of universal DH eliminates a disincentive for pitchers to throw at batters. If the umpires and the league don’t protect them, they have little protection besides a physical altercation. This disciplinary ruling goes in exactly the wrong direction.
Keep crying!!!
Well said BronxLou
100% it was first pitch. I was watching it live. Had big number on over agaib like I do this afternoon
BL
“Apparently Hill is unfamiliar with the fact that seven games for a hitter is far more severe a penalty than for a starting pitcher, who will miss only one game. ”
Apparently you are unfamiliar with the fact that a batter bats around 4 times per game and a pitcher faces around 25 hitters per game.
Thus, a pitcher missing 1 game is roughly equal to a batter missing 7 games
@Bronxlou… Well said
@bronx. Thanks for pointing out facts from a unbiased fan. Trout always gets hit from the Mariners, Contreras from the brewers. The fact the players and the play by play guys know this. You would think the umpires would get something from the league before the game like said player has been hit 7 times in 20 games from the same pitcher give him a warning or toss him.
What’s gets me is Lopez used a baseball as brass knuckles. Had Soler walked out there with a bat, my position would be reversed.
Soler hit a HR. Then was hit by a pitch…no accident. Then in a later AB, got a message pitch.
Lopez could have diffused the situation, but instead escalated it and then used a baseball as a weapon.
Giving them the same suspension is BS.
If the angels thought that soler was hit on purpose in the prior at bat than the angels pitcher should have hit a Braves player. That is how this game is played. Batters aren’t supposed to charge the mound like that.
Lopez still had his mitt and ball in hand as he was expecting to fight. Soler and the angels didn’t do this right
You could argue that Soler was tired of him and his teammates getting plunked as often as they have this season already. 11 HBP.
The weapon thing is dumb. Had Lopez made solid contact with a baseball in hand he probably would have broke a finger or two.
Brass knuckles are outside the hand, not in it. It would have done more harm to Lopez!
You think that’s dumb? You have no idea what you have talking about.
I just leave it that.
And a roll of nickels is on the inside, and if you don’t think that packs a punch, you’re a moron.
@halo11fan. Im on the fence about it because Lopez thought maybe he was charging with the bat, which admits guilt, and he called him out. Also agree he should’ve dropped the ball and glove when he didn’t. The suspension ruling was bs if he’s going to miss a start give soler 2 days atleast to be fair.
Halo11fan- That’s completely true. That’s a horrible decision. I’m pretty sure that the Players association and Solers agent are getting involved. that needs to be appealed.
So your fine with a batter Solers size charging the mound?? It happened so fast that Lopez didn’t even have time to take his mitt off. Soler and angels didn’t handle this the way the game been for decades.
Soler went after him; lucky that Lopez didn’t fire the ball into soler. Had Lopez stayed on the mound he won’t have been suspended. A player can’t come out at the pitcher like that. Players yell at each other all the time without the batter charging the mound
Yup the rule is dumb and imbalanced AF. Suspensions barely affect pitchers.
Then dont charge the mound.
Learn your rules! You’d better learn your rules!
What rules, Lopez used the ball like brass knuckles. What rule covers that?
The no using the ball as brass knux rule.
Braves 2021 World Series MVP was wanting a piece of the Braves for being the Braves i guess?
Soler was 14-23 with 5 homers including one earlier in the game against Lopez. Then Lopez hit him in the wrist/hand followed by a ball up by his head the next AB. Lopez did all of this and should get a heavier suspension.
If the angels thought that the hit by pitch prior at bat was on purpose than the angels should have hit a Braves player. That’s the way the game has policed itself for decades. I don’t think Lopez was throwing at him in a 2 run game with a runner on. Plus Braves manager said he won’t allow his pitcher to through at guy like that
To me it seemed like Soler took exception to the whole thing. I didnt see loud mouth big mouth Correa charging Joe Kelly when he threw at his head. Just my take. I dont have a dog in this fight. Soler come out swinging like Tim Anderson and ended up on the ground just as quick. Idk unwritten rules say dont charge the mound. Unwritten rules say if a pitcher hits your guy on purpose then Pedro Martinez wants to send them both in the same ambulance
Neither player is missing 7 games. I imagine both suspensions to be reduced upon appeal
Lopez suspension is now five days…meaning, he doesn’t miss a start. That’s disgusting.
Typically, pitchers get pushed back a couple days, but not too long. 5 games will require Atlanta to use an extra starter.
Sea cap…maybe. It could, but you could also swap pitchers and basically miss no time. Weiss is a smart guy my bet is that how it will work out.
Lopez is scheduled to pitch Monday.
Free bro he ain’t do nun!
Starting pitchers should be suspended by the starts, not games. A position player who is suspended for 7 games misses 7 games. A starter suspended for 7 games misses one start. It isn’t the same punishment.
A batter provides less value per game played than starting pitchers.
Right- 1/9. So maybe thd batter should actually miss 9 games not 7.
SeaCap, but Lopez is scheduled to pitch Monday. Which means he doesn’t miss a start, and got the minimum suspension.
But he did a lot more than the minimum. Pitchers get the same time for a whole lot less.
This is outrageous to me. Soler hits a HR, get hit, gets a message pitch, is taunted, and the Lopez throws punches with a baseball in his hands.
I think Lopez tried to break his jaw, and with a better placed punch he could have. To me, this is outrageous.
Ok, I didn’t realize Atlanta had the off-day, and they will just shift around their rotation.
I don’t know the whole backstory with them, although it’s not unreasonable for Soler (and you) to think his utter domination and earlier HR/HBP meant that pitch was on purpose. Can that be proven enough for MLB to extend his suspension over it? That’s maybe where you’re underwhelmed with the punishment?
It did look like Soler initiated the fight, frankly Lopez looks dumb throwing punches at a helmet with his moneymaker holding a baseball. If he’d landed a good one, can’t imagine that would’ve ended well for him either!
Soler will probably get his suspension reduced on appeal.
I’ve never seen a baseball player throw a punch holding a baseball. You don’t do that.
I’m seen them throw a helmet, swing a bat, kick with their cleats, throw a bat, but never hold a ball and punch someone.
That deserves a heavier punishment. That’s my beef with this. He should have been made an example of.
How often does the pitcher even have the ball when he’s getting charged at? How certain can you be that Lopez intentionally held the ball rather than just suddenly defending himself in the heat of the moment? (He certainly wasn’t thinking much swinging his pitching hand at a helmet)
Maybe you’re right as to intentionality, but I feel like this is (at best) like one of those reviews where it looks like it should be overturned but it stands due to lack of evidence.
SeaCap, which furthers my point that Lopes poured fuel on the fire taunting Soler.
And it doesn’t matter..he did have a baseball in his hand and he did hit him baseball first with an overhand right.
They lose their game checks, correct?
Walt Weiss should be suspended for that tackle too. He did more damage than slappy Lopez
Soler was just as slappy sir…Embarrassing if you gonna run up on a pitcher throw hands dude was praying and swinging just as much as Lopez.
I would suspend Soler too. 3 wrongs don’t make a right.
You’re actually making my point even more. The tackle was more dangerous than either one’s slapping. Coaches should know better than to be doing WWE moves to break up a girl fight and Walt’s own player was using the ball as a weapon multiple times throughout the game including during the fight.
Walt Weiss is a savage BJJ practitioner and wasn’t afraid to protect his player. Not charging the mound is the much safer venture.
Charging the mound under any circumstance should be minimum 7 games escalating up. Like the leaving the bench rule in basketball. Penalize pitchers if you like as well by tossing them and suspending them as circumstances dictate but charging the mound should be an automatic suspension full stop. No mound charge, no ridiculous fights
Personally, I don’t think either player should be suspended, but I think every player or coach that left their position, bench or bullpen should be suspended for 10 games.
If Lopez has an issue with Soler and he uses the baseball as a weapon then Soler should have the right to kick that a$$.
How many pitchers would be throwing at guys if they didn’t have their teammates rushing in to defend them.
Hockey has the fighting rule figured out.
I bet you want them to haul out an UFC octagon ring onto the field as well. MLB isn’t the NHL.
CD
“every player or coach that left their position, bench or bullpen should be suspended ”
Agreed
Disagree.
Lopez should be banned from MLB (for the rest of the season, at minimum) for his blatantly violent actions. It’s time to take a stand against these headhunting cannibals. Soler was simply defending his pride and honor, and should be rewarded with American League Player Of The Month for April.
Lol
Big nope you dope.
Foppert clutching pearls as much as Joc Pederson. Prolly cheats at fantasy sports too
Did you see the play? It was nowhere near him. Missed by quite the distance, and the ball hit the backstop.
youtube.com/watch?v=Kg4M02JzKOg
Duh. It was a purpose pitch meant to intimidate. You don’t know that?
For the time being I’m going to assume you’re not dumb. Weaver threw a similar pitch to Carlos Guillen after showboating a HR and was suspended five games. The same amount of time as Lopez, for drilling him, throwing a purpose pitch, calling him out to the mound, throwing punches and using a baseball as brass knuckles.
It’s complete BS.
The ball has intent? Subpoena the ball
Hilarious!
Ha ha. The American manchild has no boundaries.
The real Foppert take. Suspend both so little leaguers aren’t tempted to be throwing haymakers. Then move on.
Imagine not being able to detect sarcasm.
Ha ha. Imagine not realising the comment wasn’t about the sarcasm.
Oh dear. You “men” are hilarious !
Oh, I feel so insulted. You have devastated me with your harsh words. Congrats!
Cool. That manchild reality should be harsh. I look forward to your next childish validation of my point, foppert4. Thanks for the help !
There you go!
Wait which one is the parity account and which one is the parody? Quoting the great Cal Naughton Jr: “My head is all tied up like a pretzel. I got a pretzel in my head”
Ummmmm……. that’s an easy one for an adult.
Think of the little leaguers!
It’s unfortunate, but yeah, you got to do it. Impressionable minds and all that.
That’s too far for the both of them.
Braves are a classless organization top to bottom, from their name to their racist chop. Anything bad that can happen to them is fun and enjoyable
Weiss for NLMOY!!!!
Weiss for NFL mvp.
Touché
This wouldnt have dragged out as long or maybe happened at all if pitchers still hit.
Intentional HBP have been part of the game since the shortstop played in shallow center. The DH didn’t create the opportunity or incentives; it’s always been there.
Slaps aren’t punches
Soler said F that n went deep and leading to a huge inning and giving those braves a well deserved beating today.
How can they treat an ex braves world champ like that ?
Posted that before the end of the inning, didn’t you?
Its called a joke. Angels haven’t given anyone a beating including Soler air punches last night
Some beating….
Braves won today 8-2. Soler had a higher exit velocity than yesterday’s delayed brawl
Contreras could learn a thing or two from Soler. He didn’t slide at an innocent teammate or talk to the media. He went straight after the dude
The appeal should drop it to six days for Lopez and maybe 2 or 3 for Soler.
They announced on the radio broadcast that Lopez was reduced to 5 games.
Didier starts tonight’s game (Wed), so he could be ready for the next start — or could pull him and slot him in to the rotation and push someone back a GS. Murph is playing at AAA on Fri in rehab — so very soon…
The anti-Braves tears here are delicious.
Angel fans have to grip at something since they haven’t had anything to be positive about for years
Grip or gripe? Both apply
Hit him on a 2-2 count and the pitch up, it wasn’t in, was an 0-2 count…..
Definitely counts that Lopez wants to intentionally hit a guy….
Complete bs. I’m tired of soft pitchers getting mad they can’t do their job and then they start throwing at people, especially towards the head. I always knew I would be way too much of a hot head to play baseball. You throw at my head even once, accident or not and I’m punching you in your face.
Typical nonsense from the Atlanta organization.
What’s the nonsense you’re referring to?
For as intimidating as Soler is physically, I was a bit disappointed with his performance in this bout
Thats what she said. Gym muscles ÷ diminished performance
Lopez drills a dude then throws near his head without getting even a warning. He then invites a fight and throws punches. And he nets the lower suspension.
It’s like MLB condones his behavior but is mad at the dude actually in danger who stands up for himself.
And I’d say the same if the jerseys were reversed.
It will be interesting to see how MLB handles Soler appeal.
They have set a precedent in reduucing Lopez so quickly. You’d think they’d be somewhat dillgent and review once again. At the very least MLB could habe put on the persona that they actually reconsidered.
It is almost as if Lopez said I object, and MLB responded with OK I am sorry.
The “Dude” instigated a physical altercation which is an immediate ejection and should be a stiff suspension without pay with or without the Players Associations approval….Lopez should also receive the same…..there is NO room in baseball for “defending your pride”. Of course Solor’s manager should have come out and defused Solor while engaging the umpire as to why there was no warning to Lopez given their past issues. Really tired of this macho bull.
When getting hit with 95+ mph hard projectiles you are defending more than your pride. You are defending your safety.
Soler is in a contract year as well. A broken wrist or jaw wouldn’t be good.
Pitchers have it too easy thinking they can intentionally hurt other players and won’t receive any in return.
Yes, instigating a fight should involve discipline. I just wish the league cracked down harder on pitchers who are the real start of these.
I honestly think the umpire should be disciplined as well.
Soler had just been hit, the next time up he gets one thrown “towards him”. Right then and there is where the umpire steps in and defuses the situation. That did not happen.
The umpire should have immediately issued a warning. Had the umpire reacted quicker, more than likely neither player would be suspeneded right now.
Should be games started for starting pitcher so if hitter gets 7 games, starting pitcher gets suspended for 7 starts or 35 games which is equal to 7 times through rotation. But allow starting pitchers team to replace him on roster for some of those games.
How did Lopez avoid waaaay more than that after holding onto the ball and firing it at Soler’s head from point blank range???
Just got the transcript. Here’s what was said:
Reylo: “There must be some misunderstanding”
Soler: “There must be some kind of mistake”
Reylo: “I waited in the rain for hours”
Soler: “You were late”
Dearest Arte,
When I filled out my fan survey, I explicitly stated that I wanted safety at the ballpark. Instead, I apparently purchased ringside seats to a live-action episode of Bullpen Brawl: Anaheim Edition. What exactly are my kids supposed to do with all this unexpected character development?
I came for affordable hot dogs and a relaxing loss; not to explain to a 7-year-old why grown men are reenacting WWE storylines between innings.
We didn’t ask for wins. We didn’t even ask for competence. We just asked for a calm, uneventful evening where the most dangerous thing was the seventh-inning stretch hot dog.
You’ve truly let the fans down on their top priority. If I wanted chaos, I’d sit in traffic on the 5. At the very least, please clarify whether this is now part of the entertainment package so I can budget accordingly.
Warmest regards (and mild concern),
A Suddenly Battle-Hardened Fan
Horse chit!
The umpire sort of added to this happening by not giving a warning to Lopez.
Soler hits the HR, then gets plunked the next at bat, and a pitch goes up and in the following at bat.
Still no warning to Lopez from the umpire.
At that point, I don’t blame Soler for having to take matters into his own hands to defend himself.
His suspension should be reduced to maybe 2-3 games in my opinion.
Edub….sorry I said someething ver similar before reading your post.
Obviously I am in agreement with you on this one.
I added that the umpire should also be disciplined as well.
Solar launched a no‑doubt home run off Lopez in the early innings, I didn’t notice no bat flip so Lopez. Waited for Solar to up again, the the second time the very first pitch rode in and caught him on the hand. Solar
By the third matchup, Lopez’s first pitch buzzed straight past Solar’s helmet,
Not even close to the helmet. It was on the black. Just high and Soler was upset (and rightfully so) about the previous HBP.
were they suspended for the crime of not being able to land an actual punch? The announcer saying they were exchanging haymakers” tells me he’s never seen or been in a fight in his life.
So Lopez’ “suspension” means he doesn’t miss any time at all, he’ll make his next start. Under Hill, MLB discipline has become a joke. If Soler serves even a game (and I expect he’ll serve more), this will be a travesty.
He technically misses one start, though we all know that just means it pushes him back a day or two. That is still a change in the rotation, which is typically set up for effectiveness in not starting a similar pitcher two days in a row. Position players average around 138 games, 150 if you remove injuries. The amount of missed time is based on percentages and it is roughly equivalent.
What you should be focused on is the fact Soler charged the mound on a high pitch over the black. It was NOT high and tight. He absolutely got hit earlier, but it was low. I am not saying he should forget about it, but he 100% over-reacted to the second AB after his home run. Watch the replay, it was on the black. Stop whining and move along.
As a Braves fan, I would not have minded pushing Lopez to 10 games to get him a true off week. We will need him later in the year and some rest early might have been better than not. But all this crap about suspensions not being equal and ‘head-hunting’ is getting old. SO … MUCH … WHINING!
Glad Soler is not hurt, as I still love the dude for his work in Atlanta. But man, I have dated women who didn’t get their panties in a wad as much as people on this board. How many times have the Braves lost hitters to HBP that affected the season, but no whining at the time, just next man up. And yes, I am picking on this post because three days of this whine-fest has got to stop. Sorry for taking it out on you Lou, but this is MLB standard policy, and the hate needs to stop.