Mike Trout Testifies in Tyler Skaggs Wrongful Death Trial

On Tuesday, Mike Trout appeared in a Santa Ana, California courtroom during the trial concerning the Los Angeles Angels’ potential liability for the drug overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

Skaggs passed away in 2019 after consuming fentanyl-laced oxycodone combined with alcohol, which had been supplied by Eric Kaye, the team’s former communications director who is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence. Following his death, Skaggs’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels, arguing that the team was aware of Kaye’s history of drug use and the risk he posed.

Trout expressed disapproval while sharing that players would sometimes pay Kaye for unusual activities. He recalled a moment when a clubhouse staff member suggested they stop giving money to Kaye, fearing it could be used for “bad purposes.” Immediately, Trout thought, well, it might be drugs.

Interestingly, Trout mentioned he hesitated to sign autographs for Kaye unless he knew the recipient, concerned those could end up being sold for profit. He noticed that Kaye seemed to be “taking advantage of something,” but he wasn’t quite sure what it was, admitting, “I had no idea what it was.” According to Trout, he had only seen Skaggs smoke marijuana and drink alcohol, and he hadn’t suspected him of taking other substances.

The family of Skaggs is seeking $118 million in compensation for lost earnings and their pain and suffering, alongside seeking punitive damages against the Angels. Besides Trout, other players are anticipated to testify, including Wade Miley, a former Angel who now pitches for the Cincinnati Reds. Earlier this year, Miley was identified in a deposition as someone who had supplied drugs to Skaggs.

Moreover, former Mets pitcher Matt Harvey confessed to providing drugs to Skaggs while they were teammates with the Angels in the year Skaggs died. During the trials, Harvey and other players, including C.J. Cron, Mike Morin, and Cam Bedrosian, indicated that Kaye had supplied them with drugs as well.

When Skaggs was discovered in a hotel room in Southlake, Texas, he was just 27 years old, right before an Angels game against the Texas Rangers.