Exclusive: "There was a throwdown between Arozarena and Diaz"- Tampa Bay Rays insider shares startling details of fight between two stars 

A source inside the Tampa Bay Rays organization has shed light on the truth of a shocking altercation that took place before the end of the 2022 season.

JP Peterson is a well-known sports personality in Tampa Bay. He recently shed light on a contentious altercation between Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz that occurred between the two Tampa Bay Rays players last year.

Although the team's official position is that the scuffle was only verbal, that no longer seems to be the case.

Speaking to host Reggie Roberts on Sportskeeda's Ballfather Podcast, Peterson shared some exclusive information regarding the nature of the fight in question.

"Arozarena and Diaz got into a scuffle. The team's official position is that it's a verbal scuffle. My sources tell me there was throwdown between Arozarena and Diaz. They got into a scuffle and Diaz wasn't even in the clubhouse for a week and a half."

According to Peterson, the episode came to blows between the two Cuban-born players. After the fireworks subsided, Peterson also shared his knowledge that Yandy Diaz was not in the clubhouse for about 10 days. Although Peterson did not disclose the exact date, it is believed to have happened during a series against the Houston Astros in late September.

"BREAKING: Multiple Sources confirm to me & @TKras that there was a physical altercation between Rays players Randy Arozarena & Yandy Diaz after Monday night’s game in the parking lot. The two had to be separated after a disagreement & neither played Tuesday vs Houston #raysup" - @Zac Blobner

Following the altercation that was reported last September, voices within the Tampa Bay Rays were quick to assure onlookers that there was no physical dimension to the impasse.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash benched both players in the next game of the series. In an interview with the press the following day, Randy Arozarena assured the press that no swings were thrown.

Arozarena had played one previous season with the St. Louis Cardinals before joining the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020. Diaz was a member of the Cleveland Indians for two seasons before coming to the Rays in 2019.

The pair were known to be friends before the altercation took place. In 2021, they both dawned shirts supporting pro-freedom protesters in their home nation.

"Randy Arozarena, Aroldis Chapman & Yandy Diaz wearing t-shirts to support those protesting for freedom in Cuba. The shirt says, “Homeland & life” - @ Tricia Whitaker

In-fighting is the last thing that the Tampa Bay Rays need ahead of the 2023 season

Although the Tampa Bay Rays went all the way to the World Series in 2020, and won their division handily in 2021, things took a turn last year. The team finished an underwhelming 3rd place, 13 games behind the New York Yankees.

If they want any chance of winning their division in 2023, this kind of in-fighting should be avoided and shunned at all costs.