Sports

Dodgers' Edwin Diaz Under Fire for Connection to Illegal Cockfighting

By Joe Najarian Athlon Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be facing a significant media distraction with one of their newest players involved in an animal cruelty scandal.

In a developing story from USA Today, superstar closer Edwin Diaz has been linked to an illegal cockfighting ring in his home country of Puerto Rico. Diaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the two-time defending World Series champions in December 2025, was implicated through both social media posts and promotional graphics with him in uniform.

A story from the Puerto Rican news outlet El Nuevo Día featured Diaz describing the activity as a childhood pastime with his family; he had entered four roosters in a recent tournament as well.

"It's legal in Puerto Rico, thank God. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here," Diaz said in the publication. "It's something I've done since childhood, something my dad instilled in me... The cockfighting arena is like my home."

Here's the problem: cockfighting has been banned since 2019 in all United States territories, including Puerto Rico. In 2021, the US Supreme Court upheld the ban, solidifying participation in the bloodsport as a federal offense.

Diaz wasn't the only athlete tied to this scandal, as jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr., who placed first and second (respectively) at the 2026 Kentucky Derby, were also linked in USA Today's story. They were identified on video collecting bets at a tournament. Other MLB players mentioned in the story were former catcher Martin Maldonado and relief pitcher Alexis Diaz, Edwin's younger brother. Multiple Facebook posts have shown promotional material of each player in their team uniforms, such as Edwin in a New York Mets jersey.

Is Edwin Diaz's Career in Danger?

The 32-year-old right-hander has not pitched since April 19 against the Colorado Rockies. The next day, Diaz was placed on the injured list and underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. Pitching with reduced velocity, he has a bloated 10.50 ERA in seven appearances, along with -0.1 fWAR.

After undergoing surgery, the Dodgers were expected to get Diaz back for the second half of the season. However, while MLB has yet to announce any discipline and Diaz has yet to receive criminal charges, these allegations may put the star closer's career in jeopardy, let alone delay his return to the field.

Diaz's own words certainly don't help his case. In a fight where Diaz's participating rooster sustained a knife wound, he was quoted, "My rooster went down dead and got up to fight, doing what my roosters know how to do: finish fights. He did what I do when I come in to pitch in the ninth: to close out the game."

The maximum penalty for cockfighting participants is a $250,000 fine and five years in prison. Based on the amount of potentially incriminating evidence, the Dodgers will be faced with immense pressure to respond to these allegations. With his reputation already compromised severely, Diaz now faces an uncertain future depending on both the legal outcome and potential discipline from Major League Baseball.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 10:20 AM.

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