In the wrongful death trial concerning Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, team president John Carpino expressed regret over not being aware sooner of drug use involving Skaggs and communications director Eric Kay. He highlighted the difficulties the incident posed for the organization and stressed the need for early awareness to avoid such tragedies. The trial, which commenced in October, has included testimonies from Angels players, staff, and members of Skaggs’ family. Skaggs, who died in July 2019 from an overdose of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone, was found in a Texas hotel room. Kay was subsequently convicted in 2022 for providing Skaggs with a fentanyl-laced pill and received a 22-year federal prison sentence.
The Skaggs family contends that the Angels should bear responsibility for the circumstances leading to Skaggs’ death, asserting that the team either knew or should have known about Kay’s drug activities. In contrast, the Angels’ defense maintains that any drug use took place privately, beyond the team’s supervision. Closing arguments in this civil trial are set for Monday.
In response to Skaggs’ death, Major League Baseball has taken steps to combat opioid misuse among players. These measures include the introduction of testing and treatment initiatives aimed at promoting player health and safety. The case continues to draw significant attention as it explores the accountability of organizations in the face of substance abuse issues within professional sports.
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