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Angels settle in overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, avoiding jury verdict
A ballpark sign honoring the late starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs.
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The Los Angeles Angels have settled with the family of Tyler Skaggs, who died of an overdose in 2019, according to the pitcher's family. The terms of the settlement have not been made public.
The 27 year-old pitcher was found dead in a suburban Dallas hotel room shortly before a road game against the Texas Rangers. A toxicology report found a mix of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone in his system.
In a statement, the Skaggs family said the end of the legal process will allow them to focus on healing from their tragic loss.
"We are deeply grateful to the members of this jury, and to our legal team," the family said in a statement. "While nothing can bring Tyler back, we will continue to honor his memory.”
The illegal drugs that led to Skaggs' death were provided by former Angels communications director Eric Kay. Kay has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for his role in the death. His trial included testimony from five other Major League Baseball players who said Kay supplied them with oxycodone.
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The case playing out in Santa Ana was a civil, wrongful death lawsuit brought by Skaggs’ widow and parents. They argued that the Angels should have known Kay was providing drugs to Skaggs and other players on the team. The family said the franchise should be held responsible because drug dealing was essentially part of Kay’s job, which included acting as a so-called “gopher” for the players and otherwise keeping them happy.
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Skaggs' family is seeking close to $100 million in lost earnings, along with compensation for pain and suffering, and punitive damages against the Angels.
In the wake of Skaggs’ death, Major League Baseball began testing players for opioid use and guiding players to treatment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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