Edwin Diaz has bigger things on his mind than a cockfighting controversy that surfaced while he was rehabbing from elbow surgery. The Dodgers reliever said this week that MLB has not contacted him about the allegations, and he doesn’t expect they will.
“The league didn’t reach out to me because I wasn’t doing nothing illegal,” Diaz told reporters, via Jack Harris of the New York Post. “At the end of the day, I’m looking to help this team to win.”
The 32-year-old closer underwent surgery on his elbow in April and has been working his way back ever since. He faced live batters this week for the first time in months and said his focus is on returning to the mound as soon as possible for a Dodgers team that owns the best record in baseball.
What actually happened with the cockfighting story?
Reports earlier this year linked Diaz to an alleged illegal cockfighting operation in Puerto Rico. The story picked up steam online, but Diaz says it’s not something he’s losing sleep over.
“I’m concentrated to help this team to win, concentrated to be back ready as soon as possible,” he said. “I’m not thinking too much about that. That’s a past story.”
It’s unclear if MLB ever planned to investigate the matter further. Diaz’s comments suggest the league has moved on. No charges have been filed against him, and he hasn’t been placed on administrative leave or disciplined in any way.
The whole situation is essentially a non-issue as far as the Dodgers are concerned. They’re more interested in getting their three-time All-Star closer back on the field.
Diaz’s season so far and what’s next
Before the injury, Diaz pitched in just seven games for Los Angeles. He went 1-0 with four saves but struggled with his command and ended up allowing seven earned runs on nine hits over six innings. That’s a 10.50 ERA, which is obviously not the numbers the Dodgers expected when they signed him.
Still, the team has been rolling without him. Los Angeles entered Sunday’s series finale against the Padres at Dodger Stadium with a 59-31 record, the best in the majors. Getting Diaz back healthy would only deepen a bullpen that’s already been solid most of the year.
There’s no firm timeline for his return yet, but facing live hitters is a big step. He’ll probably need a rehab assignment before the Dodgers activate him. Given where the team is in the standings, they can afford to be patient.
As for the cockfighting thing? It sounds like Diaz has already moved on. So has MLB. And so has everyone else in the Dodgers clubhouse.
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