Stephen A. Smith, Jorge Soler and Reynaldo Lopez Brawl (Photos by Imagn Images)

'I Loved It' – Stephen A. Smith Has No Problem With Jorge Soler-Reynaldo Lopez Brawl

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Heena Singh | Last updated Apr 9, 2026 11:48 AM ET

Tension had been simmering all night in the Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Angels. By the fifth inning on April 7, it finally boiled over. A home run, a hit-by-pitch, then a fastball sailing too close for comfort, it was only a matter of time before emotions snapped. When Jorge Soler charged the mound at Reynaldo Lopez, chaos followed fast.

And yet, beneath the punches and pile-up, there was context. Jorge Soler had already been teeing off on Lopez all night, owning their matchup historically. Even the aftermath had layers – Braves manager Walt Weiss stepping in with a literal tackle to cool things down, a rare moment of urgency that went viral across the baseball world.

That’s exactly where Stephen A. Smith stepped in on April 8 during First Take, embracing the chaos instead of condemning it.

“I loved it. … I really don’t have a problem with it.”

"I loved it. … I really don't have a problem with it."

—@stephenasmith on the Braves-Angels brawl ⚾ pic.twitter.com/FMaewpmkTd
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 8, 2026

Smith made it clear (sourced from ESPN’s April 8 broadcast), he doesn’t root for injuries but welcomed the edge, even the haymakers. To him, it injected life into the game. Meanwhile, MLB responded with suspensions – seven games for Jorge Soler (under appeal) and five for Lopez after reduction. The Braves still walked away with a 7-2 win.

Angels Lose Jorge Soler to IL, Power Bat Sidelined for Weeks

Tough break for the Los Angeles Angels. On April 8, they shelved Soler with a hamstring issue after stuff went sideways earlier in the week. The power bat in the middle suddenly goes missing.

This one stings. Jorge Soler has been driving runs and bringing pop to the lineup all season. Without him, the offense loses its edge, especially with the AL West race starting to heat up.

Jorge Soler (Image Credit: Imagn)

The injury traces back to April 6 vs the Oakland Athletics. MRI showed a moderate strain, and the team is playing it safe. Expect a few weeks out while others try to hold it down.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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