The Los Angeles Angels and the family of former pitcher Tyler Skaggs have reached a last-minute settlement, concluding a civil lawsuit linked to Skaggs’ death in 2019. The agreement was made just before the case was set to go to trial, bringing an end to a legal process that has lasted several years.
Tyler Skaggs, a left-handed starting pitcher for the Angels, died on July 1, 2019, in Texas while the team was in town for a series against the Texas Rangers. A subsequent investigation revealed that Skaggs had fentanyl, oxycodone, and alcohol in his system at the time of his death. His passing prompted scrutiny of drug use and distribution within professional baseball.
In the wake of Skaggs’ death, his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels organization. The lawsuit alleged that team employees were aware of, and in some cases facilitated, the distribution of drugs to Skaggs and other players. Specifically, former Angels communications director Eric Kay was implicated and later convicted on federal charges related to the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2022.
The terms of the settlement between the Skaggs family and the Angels remain confidential. Representatives for both parties have not disclosed details regarding financial compensation or any other specific provisions agreed upon. However, the agreement brings closure to one of the legal components surrounding the tragedy.
The Skaggs family has expressed a desire for accountability and for measures that would prevent similar tragedies in the future. In the years since Skaggs’ death, Major League Baseball and its players association have implemented changes to drug education and testing policies. These changes include expanded testing for opioids and greater access to treatment programs.
Skaggs, who was 27 at the time of his death, had played parts of seven seasons in Major League Baseball, all but one with the Angels. His death deeply impacted teammates, fans, and the broader baseball community.
