Jorge Soler -- General News

The Chicago Cubs Report provides a comprehensive overview of recent team activity. Notable developments include comparisons between outfielder Jorge Soler and former Cubs legend Sammy Sosa, suggesting strong performance from the current player. The pitching rotation has experienced both gains and setbacks: Kyle Hendricks successfully earned back his starting position ahead of the Giants matchup, while pitcher Jordan Wicks suffered a right oblique strain requiring a 15-day IL stint after an early exit. Recent games showed mixed results in a series against the Cardinals, with the Cubs securing a 5-1 victory behind Imanaga's seven solid innings but dropping the other two games 2-1 and 3-0. Against the Rays, the team split the series with a 3-2 loss followed by a 4-3 victory featuring a three-run homer from Bellinger in the seventh inning, though closer Neris continued to struggle in the ninth. The organization also made a minor roster addition by signing former Mets reliever Jorge López to a minor league deal.

Jorge Soler homered in his first at-bat on Wednesday against Atlanta, less than an hour after MLB announced his seven-game suspension for his role in Tuesday night's brawl with Braves pitcher Reynaldo López. The home run traveled 402 feet with a 105.9 mph exit velocity off right-hander Grant Holmes. Soler is appealing the suspension, allowing him to remain active and start in right field for the Angels, who lost 8-2 at Angel Stadium.

The suspension stemmed from an altercation in Tuesday's game after López threw a pitch to the backstop in the fifth inning. Soler, who had already homered off López in the first inning and been hit in the hand by a pitch in the third, took offense and charged the mound. The two exchanged punches, with López keeping the ball in hand and knocking Soler's helmet off. López also received a suspension but had it reduced to five games after appeal.

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki expressed full support for Soler's actions, stating he is '100 percent' behind him despite the suspension's impact on the roster. Suzuki noted there is no animosity between the two clubs, citing his previous relationship with Braves manager Walt Weiss. López characterized the incident as a misunderstanding, claiming he never intended to throw at Soler, though Soler believed it was intentional. Soler, who went 1-for-4 on Wednesday, is batting .222/.333/.444 with three homers in 13 games this season.

Jorge Soler's suspension for his April 7 mound-charging incident against Braves pitcher Reynaldo López has been reduced from seven games to four games, effective immediately. Soler will serve the suspension through Sunday, missing the Angels' series finale against the Padres.

The incident occurred at Angel Stadium when Soler homered off López in the first inning, then was hit by a 96 mph pitch in the third. After López threw a high pitch in the fifth inning, the two made eye contact and exchanged words. Soler stated that López's response to his inquiry prompted him to charge the mound and throw punches. López, still holding the baseball, countered with punches of his own and knocked off Soler's helmet. Both players were ejected and both benches cleared, resulting in a melee down the first-base line. López reached a settlement with MLB reducing his suspension to five games.

Soler and López were briefly teammates in the second half of the 2024 season with the Braves. Soler holds a career advantage against López, batting 14-for-23 with 5 homers and 3 doubles. Soler expressed frustration with the timing of the suspension given his recent strong performance, batting .280 with 4 homers, 2 doubles, and 10 RBIs over his last seven games.

Jorge Soler of the Los Angeles Angels began serving a 4-game suspension Wednesday night against the New York Yankees. His penalty for a fight with Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez was reduced by three games through an agreement between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association. Both players were initially suspended for seven games following a brawl on April 7 in Anaheim. Lopez's suspension was reduced to five games, allowing him to make his scheduled start Tuesday against Miami. Soler's suspension took effect immediately.

The incident occurred after Soler homered off Lopez in the first inning, was struck by a 96 mph fastball in his next at-bat, and then charged the mound after Lopez threw a high-and-inside wild pitch. The benches and bullpens emptied as both teams attempted to separate the fighting players. Soler stated through an interpreter that he responded to Lopez's answer when asked if everything was OK.

Soler, 34 years old, is batting .231 with 5 home runs, 18 RBIs, and an .849 OPS this season. He had started all 18 games for the Angels entering the suspension. Angels manager Kurt Suzuki expressed disappointment about losing Soler during his hot streak. To fill the roster gap, Yoan Moncada served as the designated hitter on Wednesday with Jo Adell moving into the cleanup spot.

Major League Baseball reduced Jorge Soler's suspension from seven games to four following his April 7 altercation with Braves pitcher Reynaldo López. Soler charged the mound after López hit him with a pitch and threw near his head, following a home run. The settlement was reached between MLB and the Players' Association without a formal hearing. Soler began serving the suspension Wednesday and will be eligible to return Sunday for the Angels' finale against the Padres.

Soler expressed disappointment about missing games while leading the American League with 18 RBIs and 5 home runs. He will be permitted to participate in pregame workouts but cannot be with the team during games. The Angels cannot replace him on the roster, leaving them with only three bench players for the four-game stretch. Manager Kurt Suzuki moved Jo Adell into the cleanup spot, expressing confidence in Adell's ability to handle the responsibility.