Dodgers Pitcher and Horse Racing Jockeys Tied to Cockfighting in Puerto Rico
A Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and two prominent jockeys in horse racing have been reportedly connected to illegal cockfighting activities in Puerto Rico through social media, according to a recent article by USA Today.
The report, published Thursday, reveals social media posts promoting cockfighting tournaments featuring Edwin Díaz, a three-time All-Star closer for the Dodgers, in his team uniform. It also cites a piece in El Nuevo Día, the largest newspaper in Puerto Rico, that quotes Díaz on the subject.
Jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz, who took first and second place respectively in this month’s Kentucky Derby, were identified in a 2025 cockfighting tournament advertisement. The Ortiz brothers and Díaz, all born in Puerto Rico, are linked to a cultural tradition that has garnered significant controversy, particularly in the context of U.S. federal law.
In 2019, a federal ban on cockfighting was implemented in Puerto Rico, following its outlawing in all 50 states. Prior to the ban, many residents viewed it as an infringement on cultural practices. Puerto Rico responded by enacting its own legislation permitting cockfighting events, provided there is no import or export of related animals or items. In 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a challenge to the federal ban from a group claiming congressional overreach in its application to the territory.
In a March article from El Nuevo Día, Díaz discussed his long-standing interest in cockfighting, mentioning that he attended a tournament where his family entered four roosters. “It’s legal in Puerto Rico, thank God. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here,” he said in Spanish, recalling his childhood experiences in the sport.
The Dodgers signed Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract in December 2025. Recently, the team announced that he would undergo surgery for “loose bodies” in his right elbow, sidelining him for the rest of the first half of the season.
A Facebook post from Club Gallistico de Puerto Rico on December 17, 2025, featured the Ortiz brothers, highlighting their participation in an upcoming cockfighting event. The post noted their success in international horse racing alongside their enthusiasm for cockfighting: “Brothers Irad and José Luis Ortiz accepted the challenge of participating in the ‘Caribbean Grand Champion’ tournament with a single goal: to become undisputed champions.”
Following reports about their involvement in cockfighting, Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming launched an investigation into the matter. Travers Manley, the organization’s Senior Vice President of Gaming and Media Relations, stated that the investigation included meetings with the Ortiz brothers. Ultimately, no administrative action was taken against them.
