Angels Face Scrutiny as Tyler Skaggs Drug Death Case Opens with Explosive Allegations
FULLERTON, CA – A civil trial began this week in Fullerton, California, alleging the los Angeles Angels enabled a dangerous drug culture that contributed to the 2019 death of pitcher tyler Skaggs. The lawsuit claims the team was aware of,and complicit in,the distribution of opioids to players.
Skaggs, 27, was found dead in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas, before a game against the Texas Rangers. A coroner’s report determined he died of choking on his vomit, with a toxic combination of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system.
The case centers on Eric Kay, the former Angels employee who was convicted in 2022 of providing Skaggs with an oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl and sentenced to 22 years in federal prison. His trial included testimony from five MLB players who admitted to receiving oxycodone from kay between 2017 and 2019.
During opening statements, attorneys for the Skaggs family alleged that Angels players routinely purchased drugs from Kay at the clubhouse, in the locker room, and in the team’s stadium parking lot to cope with injuries and “play through the pain.” Attorney Holley told jurors that Kay “regularly supplied the drugs they needed to perform and they trusted him,” describing the situation as “rampant, out of control and incredibly dangerous.”
The lawsuit details how Kay’s wife alerted Angels officials to text messages on his phone indicating he was supplying drugs to players after he sought treatment for his own drug use in 2019. Despite this, Kay was allowed to return to work in June 2019 with medical clearance and no restrictions, according to testimony.
Plaintiffs are seeking $118 million for Skaggs’ lost earnings, as well as compensation for the family’s suffering and punitive damages from the Angels organization.
Following Skaggs’ death, Major League Baseball and the players association agreed to begin testing for opioids and provide treatment referrals for those who tested positive. Skaggs had been a regular starter for the Angels since 2016,battling injuries throughout his career,and previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The trial is expected to last several weeks and may include testimony from prominent players, including Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Cincinnati Reds pitcher wade Miley.
