Overview
- USA Today published images in May that linked Díaz to cockfighting promotional material in Puerto Rico and cited social posts showing him pictured at events.
- Díaz told reporters on Sunday that he did not take part in illegal activity and that no one from MLB has reached out to him about the coverage.
- The Dodgers said Díaz faced live hitters on Sunday, will begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon, and is on track to rejoin the team shortly after the All-Star break.
- Federal law that took effect in 2019 bans cockfighting in Puerto Rico and U.S. territories and carries penalties up to five years in prison for participants and fines up to $250,000.
- Reporters note Puerto Rico’s cultural history with cockfighting and local legal responses have created enforcement complexity, which helps explain why a public MLB investigation or discipline has not emerged so far.