The Los Angeles Angels have reached a confidential settlement with the family of former pitcher Tyler Skaggs, bringing an end to a closely watched civil lawsuit that examined whether the organization bore responsibility for his 2019 overdose death.
The agreement was finalized on Friday after a two month trial in Southern California that delved into drug use within the club and the actions of a longtime team employee.
Skaggs, a 27 year old left hander, was found dead in a suburban Dallas hotel room while the Angels were on the road to face the Texas Rangers.
A medical examiner later ruled that he died after choking on his vomit, with fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol present in his system. Investigators determined that he had ingested a counterfeit oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl.
At the center of the case was Eric Kay, the Angels former director of communications. Kay was convicted in federal court in 2022 of supplying the fatal pill and was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Prosecutors in that case presented testimony from multiple Major League Baseball players who said Kay provided them with opioids between 2017 and 2019, according to court records and reporting from ESPN and The Associated Press.
Skaggs widow, Carli Skaggs, and his parents sued the Angels, arguing the team knew or should have known that Kay was abusing drugs and distributing pills to players.
The Angels denied liability, maintaining they were unaware of Skaggs drug use and would have intervened had they known.
“The Skaggs family has reached a confidential settlement with Angels Baseball that brings to a close a difficult six year process, allowing our families to focus on healing,” the family said in a statement.
“This trial exposed the truth and we hope Major League Baseball will now do its part in holding the Angels accountable.”
A trial that pulled back the curtain on clubhouse culture
Testimony during the trial painted a complex picture of Kay role within the organization. Witnesses described erratic behavior at the stadium, the discovery of numerous bags of pills at his home, and a prior hospitalization for an overdose.
Former players and staff told the court that Kay helped arrange massages, golf outings and, at times, access to prescription medication, according to coverage by the Los Angeles Times.
Angels executives and players, including star outfielder Mike Trout and team president John Carpino, also took the stand.
Defense attorneys argued that Skaggs had struggled with painkiller use before joining the Angels in 2013 and that his addiction was hidden from team officials out of fear it could jeopardize his career. They contended Kay was manipulated by players and that no one in management knew drugs were being distributed.
The jury had begun deliberations earlier in the week and even raised questions about potential punitive damages before the settlement was reached. Judge H. Shaina Colover thanked jurors for their service, noting their diligence helped lead to a resolution.
Beyond the courtroom, Skaggs death prompted changes across the sport. In the wake of the tragedy, Major League Baseball and the players association agreed to introduce opioid testing and expand treatment referrals, a move widely reported by national outlets including MLB.com and Reuters.
While the settlement terms remain private, the case has left a lasting impact, forcing baseball to confront issues of addiction, oversight and player welfare that extend far beyond one tragic loss.
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