Mike Trout testifies in Angels lawsuit over Tyler Skaggs overdose death

Mike Trout took the stand in a Santa Ana, California, courtroom on Tuesday to testify in a trial over whether or not his Los Angeles Angels ought to be held chargeable for the drug overdose demise of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

Skaggs died in 2019 after ingesting fentanyl-laced oxycodone combined with alcohol equipped by the workforce’s former communications director Eric Kay, who’s serving 22 years in jail. Skaggs’ household has since filed a wrongful demise lawsuit towards the Angels, saying the workforce knew about Kay’s drug historical past, which posed risks.

Trout testified that gamers would pay Kay for weird stunts, inflicting Trout to boost an eyebrow. At one level, a clubhouse attendant prompt the gamers ought to give up, Trout stated, as a result of Kay would possibly use the cash for a “unhealthy goal,” which Trout stated he instantly assumed was medication.

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Mike Trout wears a quantity 45 badge in honor of Tyler Skaggs throughout a Texas Rangers recreation at Globe Life Park in Arlington. (Kevin Jairaj/USA Right this moment Sports activities)

Trout stated he wouldn’t signal the autographs requested by Kay until he knew who they had been going to, for worry they might be bought for cash.

Trout stated it was clear Kay was “utilizing one thing.”

“I simply did not know what it was,” Trout stated.

The three-time MVP stated he solely noticed Skaggs smoking marijuana and consuming alcohol, with out considering he was utilizing different medication.

Los Angeles Angels design hitter Mike Trout reacts to the demise of pitcher Tyler Skaggs throughout a information convention earlier than a recreation towards the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. (Kevin Jairaj/USA Right this moment Sports activities)

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Skaggs’ household is in search of $118 million for Skaggs’ misplaced earnings, compensation for ache and struggling, and punitive damages towards the workforce. Along with Trout, different gamers, together with former Angels pitcher Wade Miley, who at the moment performs for the Cincinnati Reds, might testify in what is anticipated to be a weeks-long trial. Miley was outed earlier this yr by Skaggs’ former agent, Ryan Hamil, in an announcement as a drug provider for Skaggs.

“I hate what occurred to Tyler. It sucks. My ideas are together with his household and mates,” Miley stated in June. “However I am not going to take a seat right here and speak about issues that somebody might need stated about me or no matter. I’ve by no means witnessed this. I’ve by no means been accused of any wrongdoing.”

Former New York Mets nice Matt Harvey admitted throughout Kay’s trial that he equipped medication to Skaggs. The 2 had been teammates with the Angels the yr of Skaggs’ demise.

Harvey, CJ Cron, Mike Morin and Cam Bedrosian additionally stated in courtroom that Kay offered them with medication.

Los Angeles’ Tyler Skaggs pitches towards the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on June 6, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Photographs)

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Skaggs was 27 when he was present in a resort room in Southlake, Texas, earlier than the Angels had been scheduled to play the Texas Rangers. The Angels declare that regardless of receiving the capsule from Kay, Skaggs used the medication on his personal authority in his personal time.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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