Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz and champion jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. have been linked to an illegal cockfighting ring in Puerto Rico, according to a bombshell investigation by USA Today Sports.
Allegations Against the Athletes
The report connects the MLB All-Star and the Ortiz brothers—who finished first and second at the 2026 Kentucky Derby—to Club Gallistico de Naguabo, a cockfighting club in their native Puerto Rico. Cockfighting has been a federal crime in the United States since 2019, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison for participants and one year for spectators.
Evidence Presented
USA Today reporter Josh Peter uncovered social media posts showing the Ortiz brothers at the club. In a November 2025 video, they appear to collect money from a betting crowd before a match. Separately, Facebook advertisements from February 2026 used Diaz's image to promote cockfighting events, including one described as a "tribute" to the pitcher. The ad 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' Diaz."
Responses and Silence
Diaz previously told Puerto Rican outlet El Nuevo Dia that he had followed cockfighting since childhood. However, neither he nor the Ortiz brothers have commented on the USA Today report. Diaz's agency, the Dodgers, and Major League Baseball have also declined to comment. Diaz is currently on the injured list recovering from arthroscopic elbow surgery and has not pitched since April 19.
Background on the Athletes
Diaz signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers this offseason after six seasons with the New York Mets. The Ortiz brothers made headlines earlier this month at the Kentucky Derby, where Jose rode Golden Tempo to victory ahead of Irad on Renegade. Both are scheduled to ride in the upcoming Preakness Stakes despite the allegations.
The investigation raises questions about the athletes' involvement in an illegal activity with deep cultural roots in Puerto Rico, where cockfighting has been practiced for over 400 years but is now banned under federal law.
