Edwin Diaz reportedly appeared in cockfighting tournament graphics wearing his Dodgers uniform
The Los Angeles Dodgers Could face a large PR nightmare from LA vegans as star pitcher Edwin Diaz finds himself on the heart of a federal animal cruelty scandal.
TO USA Today investigation linked the $102 million nearer to an unlawful cockfighting ring in Puerto Rico by way of incriminating social media posts and promotional supplies.
Edwin Diaz of Team Puerto Rico celebrates a strikeout throughout a 5-2 win in opposition to Team Dominican Republic in their World Baseball Classic Pool D recreation at loanDepot Park in Miami, Fla., on March 15, 2023. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Despite the federal ban on the blood sport that took impact in 2019, Diaz reportedly appeared in tournament graphics… wearing his official Dodgers uniform. The controversy additionally took a flip after the invention of a March 2026 interview with outlet The New Day in which Díaz overtly mentioned his household’s involvement in the underground circuit.
Diaz described cockfighting as a pastime he has adopted since childhood and confirmed that his household entered 4 roosters right into a latest tournament.
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While cockfighting has lengthy been a part of native custom in Puerto Rico, the US Supreme Court upheld a complete federal ban in 2021, making participation a possible federal crime.
But the star reliever identified for his “Timmy Trumpets’ intro wasn’t the only high-profile name caught in the crosshairs of the investigation.
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Champion jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. were also identified in social media footage tied to the events. According to the report, the Ortiz brothers, who recently dominated the Kentucky Derbyappeared on video collecting cash bets at one of the alleged cockfighting gatherings.
A general view of the centerfield plaza during media day before game one of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 24, 2024. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Imagn Images)
Although no criminal charges have been filed against Diaz, MLB’s personal conduct policy allows the league to impose significant discipline regardless of the legal outcome.
It won’t be long until PETA comes after Major League Baseball and the Dodgers with escalating pressure to respond to allegations involving animal cruelty and illegal playing.
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For a Dodgers team already resented for buying up baseball with its massive payroll, watching its star closer stroll through a cockfighting pit in full uniform feels tailor-made to ignite outrage back home.
In a city where animal rights are practically civic doctrine and oat milk has a stronger lobby than most politicians, Diaz showing up at a bird fight lands as a direct shot to LA culture.
A wide view of Dodger Stadium during the fourth inning of game two of the 2024 MLB World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 26, 2024. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
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