“Cockfighting is a sadistic and cruel practice that inflicts slash wounds and stabbing injuries for the thrill… the most severely and widely criminalized form of animal cruelty,” Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, stated on May 15, asking federal prosecutors to take immediate action against Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. This entire controversy involves Edwin Díaz, too.

Edwin Díaz signed a massive $69 million deal to be the Los Angeles Dodgers’ closer, but his biggest trouble right now is off the field. While sidelined for 60 days with an elbow injury, Díaz is facing serious backlash for promoting illegal cockfighting in Puerto Rico. USA Today found Facebook posts linking Díaz to the tournaments.

The publication could not confirm whether he placed bets or fought animals. However, he definitely used his page to promote the events.

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“Edwin Diaz, a three-time All-Star pitcher now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is linked to cockfighting events in Puerto Rico,” USA TODAY Sports reported. “Diaz is pictured in a Dodgers uniform in a Facebook post dated Feb. 2 and a Facebook post dated Feb. 4 advertising cockfighting tournaments.”

The reports surrounding Díaz came to light just before the Ortiz brothers’ May 16 ride in the Preakness Stakes. Just about two weeks ago, they dueled in a thrilling finish at the Kentucky Derby. But the photos linking them to the activity or its promotion come almost six months after a video was posted on X.

That apparently showed Jose and Irad collecting money from the betting crowd on the pit floor at Club Gallistico de Naguabo, a cockfighting club in Puerto Rico. In fact, in a January 2025 photo, they were seen holding roosters inside a fighting pit. The Facebook page belongs to Oscar Calderon. Based on information found on social media, Oscar is a cockfighter and breeder of fighting roosters known as gamecocks.

Now, while PETA is asking that jockeys be banned from participating in the upcoming event, Pacelle has sent letters to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, urging him to investigate and “take appropriate disciplinary action.”

The Kentucky Derby winners, the Ortiz brothers, have already faced investigations by the Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming Corporation.

“The investigation did not result in any action being taken by KHRG,” Ashleigh Bailey, Chief Legal Officer for the KHRG, noted.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers had invested $69 million in Díaz this year to secure him for the next three seasons, making him the highest-paid closer in MLB. He recently underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. This is expected to keep him sidelined until after the 2026 All-Star break.

But now, making things worse, Díaz was seen promoting “The Puerto Rico Cockfighting Club.”

One of the advertisements read, “The Puerto Rico Cockfighting Club invites all enthusiasts to a special match and a grand tribute to one of our island’s greatest sources of pride: A Tribute to the Puerto Rican Star and Cockfighter Edwin ‘Sugar’ Diiaz.”

Then, in an article by El Nuevo Día in March, the largest circulating newspaper in Puerto Rico, Díaz was seen standing in a cockfighting pit saying, “It’s a pastime I’ve followed since I was a child. It’s legal in Puerto Rico, thank God. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”

The caption of the photo read: “Edwin ‘Sugar’ Díaz took advantage of Puerto Rico’s day off from the World Baseball Classic to unwind with one of his hobbies: cockfighting.” The article also noted that he was attending a multi-fight tournament during which his family entered four roosters.

Even though cockfighting has long been a Puerto Rican tradition, questions around it being legal remains.

A federal ban was implemented in 2018 that covered animal fighting in U.S. territories. This includes Puerto Rico, too. Yet, that same year, Díaz fought five roosters at a cockfighting club in San Juan.

There were several appeals made to keep Puerto Rico out of this ban, but in vain. According to the law, it is illegal to sponsor, organize, and promote an animal fighting venture.

According to the US Department of Justice, associating with cockfighting or any other animal fighting events could attract up to five years of imprisonment and a $250,000 penalty. This means Díaz could face legal trouble.

The 2018 reports also revealed that Martín Maldonado, then a major league catcher with the Los Angeles Angels who has since retired, fought eight roosters. A 2024 FB video also showed a painting of Díaz in a New York Mets jersey and Maldonado in a Houston Astros jersey on a wall above cases holding roosters inside the Club Gallistico de Naguabo. Even Alexis Díaz, the younger brother, is also reportedly involved in cockfighting.

Alexis Díaz spent four years with the Cincinnati Reds as a pitcher before ending up in the minor leagues this season. A post on the Club Gallistico de Puerto Rico Facebook page featured his photo and reported that he was representing members of the Puerto Rico cockfighting arena to become the undisputed champion of the Caribbean Grand Champion tournament.

Now, for Edwin Díaz, no charges have been pressed yet. Neither Díaz nor the Dodgers were available to comment on the matter. But per the league’s personal conduct policies, the Commissioner owns the authority to investigate and discipline any player for “off-field misconduct.”

The timing adds another layer to what has already been a frustrating first season in Los Angeles for Díaz.

Before hitting the IL, he was struggling with a 10.50 ERA, contrary to his 1.63 ERA last year with the Mets. But for now, all eyes will be on LA on how they deal with Díaz’s controversy.

Edwin Díaz is no stranger to controversies

In June 2024, MLB suspended him for 10 games.

He pitched for the New York Mets at the time. During a game against the Chicago Cubs, umpire Vic Carapazza checked his hand. A highly sticky, discolored substance on his right hand was revealed, which got him ejected.

Díaz claimed he only used sweat, dirt, and rock rosin. He claimed the sticky texture felt amplified due to a particularly hot day.

However, the crew chief stated that the nature of the substance couldn’t be like sweat and imposed a 10-game suspension and an undisclosed fine. There have been no reported controversies involving Díaz since then.

But now, PETA is pressuring KHRG to take action against the Ortiz brothers while several other animal welfare organizations ask the big leagues to do the same for Díaz.

PETA’s ask also makes Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz ineligible for future Eclipse Award nominations.

“Their actions are without question detrimental to racing. The public already sees whipping, illegal drug use, breakdowns, and the slaughter of Thoroughbreds as abusive. In addition to dealing with these life and death issues, the racing industry must not tolerate cruelty to any species by racing licensees,” Kathy Guillermo, PETA senior vice president of equine matters, stated.

PETA will almost certainly target Edwin Díaz and the Dodgers next. While most baseball fans are surprised to learn about Díaz’s hobby, most are waiting for the team or player’s official response.