If you've been scrolling through sports headlines lately, you might have stumbled across some surprising news about Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz—and it has nothing to do with his fastball. Instead, the buzz is about cockfighting allegations that have surfaced, linking the star pitcher to an illegal practice in his native Puerto Rico.
Here's the breakdown: According to a report from USA TODAY Sports' Josh Peter, the investigation began with photos of jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. on social media, which connected them to illegal cockfighting. But the story didn't stop there. The same report found photos on Facebook that appear to show Diaz advertising cockfighting tournaments. While cockfighting is banned in every U.S. state and territory—including Puerto Rico—it remains an underground activity in some communities.
The report goes deeper, detailing how Diaz and his family have allegedly been involved in entering roosters into these tournaments. For context, cockfighting is described by the ASPCA as "a blood sport in which two roosters specifically bred for aggression are placed beak to beak in a small ring and encouraged to fight to the death." It's a practice that has faced widespread condemnation for its cruelty.
So, what's the response so far? USA TODAY Sports attempted to reach Diaz through both the Dodgers and his agency, THE TEAM, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Major League Baseball declined to comment when contacted. As of now, the allegations remain unconfirmed by Diaz or his representatives, leaving fans and the baseball world waiting for clarity.
Whether you're a Dodgers fan or just following the story, this is a developing situation that connects sports, ethics, and the law in unexpected ways. Stay tuned for updates as more information comes to light.
