Tyler Skaggs

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Tyler Skaggs

| image = Tyler Skaggs - long toss (48343655217) (cropped).jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Skaggs with the Angels in 2019

| alt = photo of a man preparing to pitch

| team =

| number =

| position = Pitcher

| birth_date = {{birth date|1991|7|13}}

| birth_place = Woodland Hills, California, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|7|1|1991|7|13}}

| death_place = Southlake, Texas, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 22

| debutyear = 2012

| debutteam = Arizona Diamondbacks

| finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = June 29

| finalyear = 2019

| finalteam = Los Angeles Angels

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Win–loss record

| stat1value = 28–38

| stat2label = Earned run average

| stat2value = 4.41

| stat3label = Strikeouts

| stat3value = 476

| teams =

Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2012}}–{{mlby|2013}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2014}}, {{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2019}})

}}

Tyler Wayne Skaggs{{cite web |title=Tyler Skaggs Stats, Fantasy & News |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/tyler-skaggs-572140 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |access-date=July 8, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185933/https://www.mlb.com/player/tyler-skaggs-572140 |url-status=live }} (July 13, 1991{{snd}}July 1, 2019) was an American left-handed professional baseball starting pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels from 2012 until his death in 2019.

A native of Woodland Hills, California, and a graduate of Santa Monica High School, Skaggs was a supplemental first-round selection for the Angels in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He was traded to the Diamondbacks the following year as part of an exchange for pitcher Dan Haren and rose through Arizona's farm system. After two consecutive appearances at the All-Star Futures Game in 2011 and 2012, Skaggs made his major league debut on August{{nbs}}22, 2012, against the Miami Marlins. He remained with the Diamondbacks through the end of the season, but was optioned to the minor leagues in 2013.

In December 2013 the Diamondbacks traded Skaggs back to the Angels, and he served as the fifth member of the team's starting pitching rotation until an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery derailed his season on July{{nbs}}31, 2014. Despite his initial plans to begin pitching in the minor leagues by the end of the 2015 season, Skaggs did not start practicing again until the beginning of the 2016 season and returned to the Angels mound that July. Although he figured prominently in the Angels' rotation between 2017 and 2019, Skaggs continued missing large parts of each season because of injury. Through June 2019, he posted a career earned run average (ERA) of 4.41, recorded 476 strikeouts, and had a win–loss record of 28–38.

On July 1, 2019, Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas, where the Angels had been visiting for a series against the Texas Rangers. He was pronounced dead the same day. An autopsy concluded at the end of August that Skaggs had accidentally died of asphyxia after aspirating his own vomit while under the influence of fentanyl, oxycodone, and alcohol. That October, former Angels director of communications Eric Kay was indicted on charges relating to Skaggs's death when he admitted to providing opiates to various members of the Angels, including Skaggs. Kay was convicted on two counts relating to Skaggs's death in February 2022. The Angels wore a No. 45 patch on their jerseys for the rest of the 2019 season in memory of Skaggs, while his widow and mother set up a charitable foundation in his name.

Early life

Tyler Skaggs was born in Woodland Hills, California, on July{{nbs}}13, 1991.{{cite web|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-biography-life-and-baseball-career-of-angels-pitcher-who-died-monday/|title=Tyler Skaggs biography – Life and baseball career of Angels pitcher who died Monday|date=July 1, 2019|access-date=July 1, 2019|work=Orange County Register|archive-date=July 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702001442/https://www.ocregister.com/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-biography-life-and-baseball-career-of-angels-pitcher-who-died-monday/|url-status=live |url-access=limited}} His parents were athletes: his mother Debbie was a longtime head softball coach at Santa Monica High School,{{cite news |last1=Archuleta |first1=Daniel |title=High school softball: Skaggs returns to dugout |url=https://www.smdp.com/high-school-softball-skaggs-returns-to-dugout/79350 |access-date=September 23, 2021 |work=Santa Monica Daily Press |date=September 13, 2011 |archive-date=March 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328043922/http://smdp.com/high-school-softball-skaggs-returns-to-dugout/79350 |url-status=live }} while his father Darnell played high school baseball as a shortstop. His stepfather, Dan Ramos, played college baseball as well.{{cite news |last1=Pinchevsky |first1=Tal |title=This MLB Pitcher Gets It From His Mama |url=https://www.oszy.com/the-new-and-the-next/this-mlb-pitcher-gets-it-from-his-mama/88403/ |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=OZY |date=August 13, 2018 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030040022/https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/this-mlb-pitcher-gets-it-from-his-mama/88403/ |url-status=live }} Growing up, Skaggs attended his mother's softball practices, where he assisted the players by fielding balls.{{cite news |last1=Bohannan |first1=Larry |title=Tyler Skaggs' death stuns desert school official who watched player grow up |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/baseball/2019/07/01/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-one-nicest-student-athletes-local-school-official-remembers/1624972001/ |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=Palm Springs Desert Sun |date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316092916/https://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/baseball/2019/07/01/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-one-nicest-student-athletes-local-school-official-remembers/1624972001/ |url-status=live }}

Skaggs was a three-sport athlete at Santa Monica High School, playing baseball, basketball, and football. His favorite sport was basketball, about which he described himself as "not the greatest dribbler" but being able to shoot.{{cite news |title=10 things to know: Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs |url=https://www.foxsports.com/west/story/10-things-to-know-angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-042914 |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=Fox Sports West |date=April 29, 2014 |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703134748/https://www.foxsports.com/west/story/10-things-to-know-angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-042914 |url-status=live }} His high school baseball coach, Rob Duron, gave Skaggs the nicknames "Tall and Skinny" and "Pole".{{cite news |last1=Waldner |first1=Mike |title=Tyler Skaggs's high school coach remembers the 'heart of a lion' |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/07/06/waldner-tyler-skaggs-high-school-coach-remembers-the-heart-of-a-lion/ |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=Orange County Register |date=July 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819042842/https://www.ocregister.com/2019/07/06/waldner-tyler-skaggs-high-school-coach-remembers-the-heart-of-a-lion/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} In 2008, his junior year of high school, Skaggs was named the Ocean League's Player of the Year after posting a 1.11 earned run average (ERA), with 89 strikeouts, 44 hits allowed, and 22 walks in {{frac|63|1|3}} innings pitched.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-21-sp-sondheimer21-story.html|title=Pitcher has mom as motivator|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 21, 2008|access-date=July 1, 2019|first=Eric|last=Sondheimer|archive-date=July 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192532/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-21-sp-sondheimer21-story.html|url-status=live |url-access=limited}} During Skaggs' senior year, several professional baseball scouts watched Skaggs play, including Tommy Lasorda. Santa Monica athletic director Norm Lacy once called Skaggs the school's best baseball player since Tim Leary,{{cite news |last1=Archuleta |first1=Daniel |title=All eyes on him |url=https://www.smdp.com/all-eyes-on-him/74249 |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=Santa Monica Daily Press |date=May 14, 2009 |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227042409/http://smdp.com/all-eyes-on-him/74249 |url-status=live }} who helped pitch the Los Angeles Dodgers to victory in the 1988 World Series.{{cite news |last=Plaschke |first=Bill |title=For Tim Leary, Dodgers' 1988 championship season never ends |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-0728-plaschke-dodgers-leary-20130728-dto-htmlstory.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 28, 2013 |access-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302090741/https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-0728-plaschke-dodgers-leary-20130728-dto-htmlstory.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited }}

Professional career

=Draft and minor leagues (2009–2012)=

Going into the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had two first-round draft picks, as well as three supplemental first-round picks. With these five selections, they drafted two outfielders, Randal Grichuk and Mike Trout; and three pitchers: Skaggs, Garrett Richards, and Tyler Kehrer.{{cite news |last1=Baxter |first1=Kevin |title=Team goes after power in the draft |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jun-10-sp-angels-fyi10-story.html |access-date=June 30, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 10, 2009 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202202817/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jun-10-sp-angels-fyi10-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Skaggs was the 40th overall selection in the 2009 draft, taken 15 slots after Trout.{{cite news |last1=Bumbaca |first1=Chris |title=5 things to know about late Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-5-things-know-late-los-angeles-angels-pitcher/1623841001/ |access-date=June 30, 2021 |work=USA Today |date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224055757/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-5-things-know-late-los-angeles-angels-pitcher/1623841001/ |url-status=live }} He had committed previously to play college baseball for Cal State Fullerton, but he chose to sign with the Angels on August 7, 2009, for a $1{{nbs}}million bonus instead.{{cite news |last1=Bollinger |first1=Rhett |title=Tyler Skaggs' career in professional baseball |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/timeline-of-tyler-skaggs-career |access-date=June 30, 2021 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006165314/https://www.mlb.com/news/timeline-of-tyler-skaggs-career |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Angels are 5-for-5 on signing top picks |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2009/08/07/angels-are-5-for-5-on-signing-top-picks/ |access-date=June 30, 2021 |work=Orange County Register |date=August 7, 2009 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192532/https://www.ocregister.com/2009/08/07/angels-are-5-for-5-on-signing-top-picks/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

Skaggs made his professional baseball debut on August{{nbs}}22, 2009, relieving starting pitcher Fabio Martinez with a scoreless sixth inning for the AZL Angels in a 2–1 win against the AZL Athletics.{{cite web |title=Tyler Skaggs 2009 Minor Leagues Game Logs & Splits |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=skaggs001tyl&type=pgl&year=2009 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192510/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=skaggs001tyl&type=pgl&year=2009 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=AZL Athletics 1, AZL Angels 2 (Final Score) |url=https://www.milb.com/gameday/azl-athletics-vs-azl-angels/2009/08/22/260111#game_state=final,game_tab=,game=260111 |website=Minor League Baseball |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712045337/https://www.milb.com/gameday/azl-athletics-vs-azl-angels/2009/08/22/260111 |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |url-status=live }} He pitched ten Rookie League innings that season, playing in both the Arizona League and with the Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League. Between the two teams, Skaggs posted a 1.80 ERA as a rookie.{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Houston |title=Timeline of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs' career in professional baseball |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-tyler-skaggs-timeline-20190701-story.html |access-date=June 30, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707065132/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-tyler-skaggs-timeline-20190701-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} In 2010 Skaggs and Trout lived as roommates while they played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Class A Midwest League, befriending each other and the family that had rented out their basement to the players.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Jeff |title='Stunned': Cedar Rapids housing parents of Tyler Skaggs having difficult time processing pitcher's death |url=https://www.thegazette.com/minor-league-sports/stunned-cedar-rapids-housing-parents-of-tyler-skaggs-having-difficult-time-processing-pitchers-d/ |access-date=June 30, 2021 |work=The Gazette |date=July 4, 2019 |location=Cedar Rapids, IA |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192514/https://www.thegazette.com/minor-league-sports/stunned-cedar-rapids-housing-parents-of-tyler-skaggs-having-difficult-time-processing-pitchers-d/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Skaggs pitched in 19 games for the Kernels that year, starting 14, and posted a 8–4 win–loss record with a 3.61 ERA during that time.{{cite news |title=Former Cedar Rapids Kernels pitcher Tyler Skaggs dies at 27 |url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/minor-league/former-cedar-rapids-kernels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-dies-at-27-20190702 |access-date=February 24, 2021 |work=The Gazette |agency=Reuters |date=July 1, 2009 |location=Cedar Rapids, IA |url-access=limited}} Skaggs was also one of seven Kernels named to the 2010 Midwest League All-Star team.{{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Matthew |title=Skaggs achieved dream career with the Angels |url=https://www.smdp.com/skaggs-achieved-dream-career-angels/177024 |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Santa Monica Daily Press |date=July 2, 2019 |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703140854/https://www.smdp.com/skaggs-achieved-dream-career-angels/177024 |url-status=live }}

File:Tyler Skaggs on July 22, 2013.jpg

On July 25, 2010, Skaggs was one of several players sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for three-time All-Star pitcher Dan Haren. In exchange for Haren the Diamondbacks received pitcher Joe Saunders, prospects Patrick Corbin and Rafael Rodríguez, and a player to be named later, speculated to be Skaggs.{{cite news |last1=Saxon |first1=Mark |title=Angels package Saunders for Haron |url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/mlb/news/story?id=5409169 |access-date=June 30, 2021 |work=ESPN |date=July 25, 2010 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403174535/http://www.espn.com/los-angeles/mlb/news/story?id=5409169 |url-status=live }} Skaggs was not named officially at the time of the trade because Major League Baseball prohibited any player from being traded until they had played professional baseball for one full year. Therefore, while the trade was made at the end of July, Skaggs remained with the Kernels until August 7.{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Jeff |title=Kernels' Skaggs bides time before leaving |url=https://www.thegazette.com/2010/08/01/kernels-skaggs-bides-time-before-leaving/ |access-date=June 30, 2021 |work=The Gazette |date=August 1, 2010 |location=Cedar Rapids, IA |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304161250/https://www.thegazette.com/2010/08/01/kernels-skaggs-bides-time-before-leaving |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Once Skaggs was eligible to be traded, the Diamondbacks assigned him to the Class A South Bend Silver Hawks of the Midwest League. There, he posted a 1–1 record and a 1.69 ERA in four starts and sixteen total innings.{{cite news |last1=Noie |first1=Tom |title=Former South Bend baseball player remembers Tyler Skaggs as a 'special' person |url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/sports/professional/sbcubs/former-south-bend-baseball-manager-remembers-tyler-skaggs-as-a-special-person/article_714aa17e-c12a-500a-8748-62effb119c12.html?redir=0 |access-date=June 30, 2021 |work=South Bend Tribune |date=July 3, 2019 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192512/https://www.southbendtribune.com/sports/professional/sbcubs/former-south-bend-baseball-manager-remembers-tyler-skaggs-as-a-special-person/article_714aa17e-c12a-500a-8748-62effb119c12.html?redir=0 |url-status=live }} Between the two Midwest League teams, Skaggs' 2010 record was 9–5, and he posted a 3.29 ERA with 102 strikeouts.

Skaggs was assigned to the Class A-Advanced Visalia Rawhide of the California League to start the 2011 season, where he anchored the team's starting rotation.{{cite news |title=Rawhide Announce 2011 Opening Day Roster |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rawhide-announce-2011-opening-day-roster/n-4176921 |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=OurSports Central |agency=California League |date=April 3, 2011 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192537/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/rawhide-announce-2011-opening-day-roster/n-4176921 |url-status=live }} He started 17 games with the Rawhide that season, posting a 5–5 record and a 3.22 ERA while striking out 125 batters in {{frac|100|2|3}} innings. Although Visalia finished in fifth place in the California League North Division, the league named Skaggs both a midseason and postseason all-star.{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Steve |last2=Yang |first2=Vongni |title=Former Rawhide and Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs dies |url=https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/sports/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-los-angeles-angels-pitcher-dies-27/1623698001/ |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Visalia Times Delta |agency=USA Today |date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802112735/https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/sports/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-los-angeles-angels-pitcher-dies-27/1623698001/ |url-status=live }} On July{{nbs}}10, 2011, Skaggs was chosen as the starting pitcher for Team USA at the annual All-Star Futures Game. In the one inning he pitched Skaggs gave up one hit and one walk, recorded one strikeout, and left two batters on base.{{cite news |last1=Bassett |first1=Tyler |title=Former Sun Devil hits HR in Futures Game, D-backs' Goldschmidt struggles |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/24575/former-sun-devil-hits-hr-in-futures-game-d-backs-goldschmidt-struggles/?show=comments |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Arizona Sports 98.7 FM |date=July 11, 2011 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192540/https://arizonasports.com/story/24575/former-sun-devil-hits-hr-in-futures-game-d-backs-goldschmidt-struggles/?show=comments |url-status=live }} The next day, Skaggs was promoted from Visalia to the Double-A Mobile BayBears of the Southern League.{{cite news |last1=Paschall |first1=David |title=Lookouts fall to Mobile |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/professional/story/2011/jul/14/lookouts-fall-mobile/54016/ |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Chattanooga Times Free Press |date=July 14, 2011 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192602/https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/professional/story/2011/jul/14/lookouts-fall-mobile/54016/ |url-status=live }} In ten starts with Mobile, Skaggs went 4–1 with a 2.50 ERA and 73 strikeouts in {{frac|57|2|3}} innings.{{cite web |title=Tyler Skaggs Minor Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=skaggs001tyl |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192536/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=skaggs001tyl |url-status=live }} At the end of the season, the Diamondbacks named Skaggs their minor league pitcher of the year.

The BayBears kept Skaggs through the beginning of the 2012 season. In thirteen starts with the team that year, he posted a 5–4 record and averaged more than one strikeout per inning.{{cite news |last1=Albrecht |first1=Peter |title=The late Tyler Skaggs named to All Time BayBear Team |url=https://www.wkrg.com/local-news/the-late-tyler-skaggs-named-to-all-time-baybear-team/ |access-date=February 24, 2021 |work=WKRG News 5 |date=August 13, 2019 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128054951/https://www.wkrg.com/local-news/the-late-tyler-skaggs-named-to-all-time-baybear-team/ |url-status=live }} At the end of June, Skaggs was promoted to the Reno Aces of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. There, he went 5–5 with a 2.91 ERA and 45 strikeouts, and Reno captured their first Pacific Coast League championship title.{{cite news |last1=Ritenhouse |first1=Duke |title=Tyler Skaggs was part of Reno Aces' 2012 national championship team |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-reno-aces-2012-pacific-coast-league-championship-team/1624203001/ |access-date=February 24, 2021 |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=July 1, 2019 |url-access=limited}} Skaggs was one of five players to appear in both the 2011 and 2012 MLB All-Star Futures games, the others being Nolan Arenado, Manny Machado, Wil Myers, and Jurickson Profar. He was not originally named to the Futures game but was selected to replace Trevor Bauer after Bauer was called up to make his major league debut.{{cite news |last1=Gentry |first1=Bruce |title=Baybears Bytes: Bauer out, Skaggs in Futures All-Star Game |url=https://www.al.com/sports/2012/06/baybears_bytes_bauer_out_skagg.html |access-date=July 27, 2021 |work=AL.com |date=June 29, 2012 |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727143150/https://www.al.com/sports/2012/06/baybears_bytes_bauer_out_skagg.html |url-status=live }}

=Arizona Diamondbacks (2012–2013)=

The Diamondbacks called Skaggs up to the major leagues on August{{nbs}}21, 2012, to start the first game of a same-day doubleheader against the Miami Marlins.{{cite news |title=A closer look: D-backs surrender five run lead in loss to Marlins |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/26326/a-closer-look-d-backs-surrender-five-run-lead-in-loss-to-marlins/?show=comments |access-date=September 23, 2021 |work=Arizona Sports 98.7 FM |date=August 22, 2012 |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923154639/https://arizonasports.com/story/26326/a-closer-look-d-backs-surrender-five-run-lead-in-loss-to-marlins/?show=comments |url-status=live }} He made his MLB debut the next day, giving up two runs in {{frac|6|1|3}} innings in a 3–2 win against the Marlins.{{cite web|last=McLellan|first=Sarah|title=Arizona Diamondbacks' Tyler Skaggs pleased with 1st start in big leagues|url=http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/20120822arizona-diamondbacks-tyler-skaggs-pleased-st-start-big-leagues.html |work=The Arizona Republic |access-date=March 31, 2014|date=August 22, 2012}} Skaggs stayed with the Diamondbacks until he was shut down for the season on September{{nbs}}24, following three consecutive poor outings and a drop in his fastball's velocity.{{cite news |last1=Piecoro |first1=Nick |title=Arizona Diamondbacks' Tyler Skaggs shut down for the season |url=http://archive.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/20120924arizona-diamondbacks-tyler-skaggs-shut-down-season.html |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=The Arizona Republic |date=September 28, 2012 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192521/http://archive.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/20120924arizona-diamondbacks-tyler-skaggs-shut-down-season.html}} He went 1–3 in his major league rookie season, with a 5.83 ERA in six starts.

Going into the 2013 season, MLB.com named Skaggs the 10th overall MLB prospect, and the highest-rated prospect in the Diamondbacks organization.{{cite news |title=2013 Top 100 MLB Prospects list |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2013-top-100-mlb-prospects-list-c301609842 |access-date=February 24, 2021 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=December 8, 2018 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111234110/https://www.mlb.com/news/2013-top-100-mlb-prospects-list-c301609842 |url-status=live }} He entered spring training a contender with Patrick Corbin and Randall Delgado for the final spot in the Diamondbacks' starting rotation, but was ultimately optioned to the Aces before the start of the season.{{cite news |author1=Arizona Sports |title=Tyler Skaggs impresses in 2013 debut with the Aces |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/27192/tyler-skaggs-impresses-in-2013-debut-with-the-aces/?show=comments |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=Arizona Sports 98.7 FM |date=April 7, 2013 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192553/https://arizonasports.com/story/27192/tyler-skaggs-impresses-in-2013-debut-with-the-aces/?show=comments |url-status=live }} He spent most of the 2013 season with the Aces, but made one appearance with Visalia, where he recorded eight strikeouts.{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Steve |title=Tyler Skaggs: Former Reno Aces pitcher dies, Angels-Rangers game canceled |url=https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-former-reno-aces-pitcher-dies-game-vs-rangers-canceled/1623105001/ |access-date=February 24, 2021 |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=July 1, 2019 |url-access=limited}} Skaggs also made seven major league starts with the Diamondbacks, ending the season with a 2–3 record and a 5.12 ERA. During this time, Skaggs also struggled with opioid abuse, which he disclosed to his family after the 2013 season. After this disclosure, he ceased his Percocet consumption cold turkey.{{cite news |last=Quinn |first=T.J. |title=Tyler Skaggs' mother gives emotional testimony in trial of former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33256110/tyler-skaggs-mother-gives-emotional-testimony-trial-former-los-angeles-angels-employee-eric-kay |work=ESPN |date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-date=February 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213022507/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33256110/tyler-skaggs-mother-gives-emotional-testimony-trial-former-los-angeles-angels-employee-eric-kay |url-status=live }}

=Los Angeles Angels (2014–2019)=

File:Tyler Skaggs (14613198219) (Cropped).jpg

Skaggs was part of a three-team trade conducted on December{{nbs}}10, 2013. He and pitcher Hector Santiago were sent to the Angels, while outfielder Adam Eaton went to the Chicago White Sox. Arizona received Mark Trumbo, as well as two players to be named later.{{cite news |last1=Saxon |first1=Mark |title=Diamondbacks land Mark Trumbo |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10115411/mark-trumbo-headed-arizona-diamondbacks-three-team-trade-chicago-white-sox-los-angeles-angels |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=ESPN |date=December 10, 2013 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022051423/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10115411/mark-trumbo-headed-arizona-diamondbacks-three-team-trade-chicago-white-sox-los-angeles-angels |url-status=live }} Arizona general manager Kevin Towers told reporters that the team had looked to trade Skaggs after concerns emerged over his decreased confidence, command, and pitch velocity{{snd}}his fastball speed, for instance, had dropped from a high of {{convert|90.6|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} to {{convert|88.7|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} over the course of the previous season.{{cite news |last1=Marotta |first1=Vince |title=Arizona Diamondbacks' GM Kevin Towers on why he traded Tyler Skaggs |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/29011/arizona-diamondbacks-gm-kevin-towers-on-why-he-traded-tyler-skaggs/ |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Arizona Sports 98.7 FM |date=December 11, 2013 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192519/https://arizonasports.com/story/29011/arizona-diamondbacks-gm-kevin-towers-on-why-he-traded-tyler-skaggs/ |url-status=live }}

Leading into the 2014 season Skaggs was in competition for the fifth place in the Angels' starting rotation with veteran Joe Blanton. He spent spring training focusing on enhancing his fastball command and developing the other pitches in his arsenal. He also made a mechanical tweak to his pitching mechanics, returning to the larger stride that he took in high school and as a member of the Angels' farm system.{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |title=Tyler Skaggs is looking to step into starting role with the Angels |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angels-skaggs-20140319-story.html |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 18, 2014 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192552/https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angels-skaggs-20140319-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Skaggs was named to the Angels' opening day roster that spring, joining a rotation that also featured Santiago, Jered Weaver, C. J. Wilson, and Garrett Richards.{{cite news |title=Los Angeles Angels' lineup, rotation |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2014/03/29/los-angeles-angels-lineup-rotation/ |access-date=September 23, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |date=March 29, 2014 |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923154556/https://www.dailynews.com/2014/03/29/los-angeles-angels-lineup-rotation/ |url-status=live }} After going 4–4 with a 4.34 ERA in his first twelve starts, Skaggs was scratched from his scheduled June{{nbs}}9 start against the Oakland Athletics. Manager Mike Scioscia revealed that Skaggs was suffering from a strained right hamstring and was placed on the disabled list as a precaution.{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |title=Angels' Tyler Skaggs scratched; Hector Santiago will start Tuesday |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-angels-tyler-skaggs-hector-santiago-20140609-story.html |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 9, 2014 |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010083936/http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-angels-tyler-skaggs-hector-santiago-20140609-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} He spent nearly a month on the disabled list before being activated on July{{nbs}}2 to start in a game against the White Sox.{{cite news |title=Angels activate Tyler Skaggs |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/11170361/los-angeles-angels-activate-tyler-skaggs-dl |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=July 2, 2014 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192536/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/11170361/los-angeles-angels-activate-tyler-skaggs-dl |url-status=live }}

On July 31, 2014, Skaggs left a potential no-hitter in the fifth inning after experiencing left forearm tightness and was relieved by Mike Morin, who lost Skaggs's no-hit bid by giving up a hit to Baltimore Orioles' batter Caleb Joseph.{{cite magazine |title=Angels LHP Skaggs leaves no-hit bid with injury |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2014/08/01/ap-bba-angels-skaggs-injured |access-date=July 1, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 31, 2014 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181904/https://www.si.com/mlb/2014/08/01/ap-bba-angels-skaggs-injured |url-status=live }} After MRI tests revealed a strain to the common flexor tendon of Skaggs's arm, the Angels placed the pitcher on the 15-day disabled list.{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |title=Angels put Tyler Skaggs on disabled list because of forearm injury |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-angels-tyler-skaggs-disabled-list-20140801-story.html |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 1, 2014 |archive-date=September 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909133352/http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-angels-tyler-skaggs-disabled-list-20140801-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} On August{{nbs}}10 the team revealed he had sustained a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament and would need to undergo a season-ending Tommy John surgery to repair his arm. At the time of the injury, Skaggs had posted a 5–5 season record with a 4.30 ERA in eighteen starts.{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Alden |title=Skaggs set for Tommy John surgery |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-will-need-tommy-john-surgery/c-88914224 |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=August 10, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201015630/https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-will-need-tommy-john-surgery/c-88914224 |url-status=live }} Due to his former issues with opioid addiction, Skaggs's mother and surgeon prevented him from taking any painkillers that were stronger than Tylenol 3.{{cite news |last=Castillo |first=Jorge |title=Tyler Skaggs' mother testifies that Angels pitcher had opioid issue in 2013 |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2022-02-09/angels-tyler-skaggs-mother-testimony-opioid-issue-2013-eric-kay |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 9, 2022 |access-date=February 22, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221124153/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2022-02-09/angels-tyler-skaggs-mother-testimony-opioid-issue-2013-eric-kay |url-status=live }}

File:Tyler Skaggs on July 14, 2016.jpg in 2016.]]

Originally, Skaggs wanted to start his rehabilitation in the minor leagues during the 2015 season, but after seeing Matt Harvey of the New York Mets successfully return to the mound after eighteen months of Tommy John rehabilitation, he decided to wait until the 2016 season to pitch again.{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |title=Angels' Tyler Skaggs alters plan in recovery from Tommy John surgery |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-20150413-story.html |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 13, 2015 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707152258/https://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-20150413-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Skaggs was assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees at the start of the season to build his endurance before returning to the Angels. A bout of biceps tendinitis in April set back Skaggs's recovery, but by July, he was able to begin rehab assignments with the Class-A Advanced Inland Empire 66ers and with the Bees.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Bubba |title=Tyler Skaggs feels like 'everything is starting to click' as he rehabs his way towards rejoining Angels |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2016/07/06/tyler-skaggs-feels-like-everything-is-starting-to-click-as-he-rehabs-his-way-toward-rejoining-angels/ |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=Orange County Register |date=July 6, 2016 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192544/https://www.ocregister.com/2016/07/06/tyler-skaggs-feels-like-everything-is-starting-to-click-as-he-rehabs-his-way-toward-rejoining-angels/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited }} He made his first major league start since undergoing surgery on July{{nbs}}26, 2016, pitching seven scoreless innings in a 13–0 win against the Kansas City Royals. Striking out five, Skaggs allowed three hits, and his only walk of the night was Alcides Escobar.{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Alden |title=Skaggs quite a success story against Royals |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-skaggs-makes-winning-return-vs-royals-c191918284 |access-date=July 1, 2021 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=July 26, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304161257/https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-skaggs-makes-winning-return-vs-royals-c191918284 |url-status=live }} Skaggs finished his first season back with a 3–4 record and a 4.17 ERA.

Injuries continued to trouble Skaggs's time with the Angels. On April{{nbs}}28, 2017, he left a game against the Texas Rangers in the fifth inning with muscle pain, later diagnosed as a Grade{{nbs}}2 oblique muscle strain with a typical recovery time of ten to twelve weeks.{{cite news |last1=Moura |first1=Pedro |title=Angels' Tyler Skaggs out 10 to 12 weeks because of strained oblique |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-skaggs-20170501-story.html |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 1, 2017 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118050133/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-skaggs-20170501-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The injury kept him out of the lineup for fourteen weeks after he suffered a recurrence of oblique pain shortly before a scheduled rehab assignment in July.{{cite news |last1=Moura |first1=Pedro |title=Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs returning to starting rotation |url=https://www.courant.com/la-sp-angels-report-20170802-story.html |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=Hartford Courant |date=August 3, 2017 |url-access=limited |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182149/https://www.courant.com/la-sp-angels-report-20170802-story.html |url-status=live }} He returned to the mound on August 5, throwing 83 pitches and giving up three runs on six hits in four innings.{{cite news |last1=Fowler |first1=Clay |title=Angels give shaky Tyler Skaggs no run support in return, loss to A's |url=https://www.sgvtribune.com/2017/08/06/angels-give-shaky-tyler-skaggs-no-run-support-in-return-loss-to-as/ |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=San Gabriel Valley Tribune |date=August 6, 2017 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192534/https://www.sgvtribune.com/2017/08/06/angels-give-shaky-tyler-skaggs-no-run-support-in-return-loss-to-as/ |url-status=live }} Skaggs was limited to eighty-five innings across sixteen starts in 2017. He went 2–6 with a 4.55 ERA and 76 strikeouts.{{cite web |title=Tyler Skaggs Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/skaggty01.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707222221/https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/skaggty01.shtml |url-status=live }} Throughout the 2018 season, a recurrent adductor muscle strain placed Skaggs on the disabled list on three separate occasions. Between the second and third instances, the injury seemed to impact his performance: after nineteen starts with a 2.62 ERA, Skaggs gave up 17 runs in {{frac|6|2|3}} innings across two starts.{{cite news |last1=Guardado |first1=Maria |title=Skaggs returns to DL with adductor strain |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-skaggs-returns-to-disabled-list-c290011864 |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |date=August 12, 2018 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701234257/https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-skaggs-returns-to-disabled-list-c290011864 |url-status=live }} Despite the injury, the 2018 season proved to be the best of Skaggs's career, as he set career highs with eight wins, twenty-four starts, {{frac|125|1|3}} innings pitched, and 129 strikeouts. His 0.84 ERA in June set an Angels record for all pitchers with a minimum of thirty innings. Skaggs went 8–10 for the year, with an overall ERA of 4.02.

On April 12, 2019, Skaggs sprained his left ankle in the fourth inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs when he landed in a divot on the pitcher's mound at Wrigley Field. He attempted to pitch through the injury, but he could not push off the foot, and his fastball speed dropped by {{convert|5|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} almost at once. After recording the third out of the inning, Skaggs was removed from the game and placed on the injured list.{{efn|Prior to the 2019 season, the disabled list was renamed the injured list.{{cite news |last1=Passan |first1=Jeff |title=Major League Baseball to rename disabled list as 'injured list' |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25947020/major-league-baseball-rename-disabled-list-injured-list |access-date=October 5, 2021 |work=ESPN |date=February 7, 2019 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005124221/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25947020/major-league-baseball-rename-disabled-list-injured-list |url-status=live }}}}{{cite news |last1=Torres |first1=Maria |title=Angels starter Tyler Skaggs goes on injured list with ankle sprain |url=https://www.courant.com/la-sp-angels-tyler-skaggs-injured-list-ankle-sprain-20190415-story.html |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=Hartford Courant |date=April 15, 2019 |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304161256/https://www.courant.com/la-sp-angels-tyler-skaggs-injured-list-ankle-sprain-20190415-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} He returned from the injury on April{{nbs}}26, pitching five scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals and seeing fastball speeds up to {{convert|94|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{cite news |last1=Torres |first1=Maria |title=Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs dominates Royals in return from injury |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-royals-20190426-story.html |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 26, 2019 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233540/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-royals-20190426-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Upon his return Skaggs led the Angels' rotation with seven wins and 78 strikeouts.{{cite news |last1=Dalton |first1=Kyle |title=Angels Pitcher Tyler Skaggs Tragic Death a Year Ago Changed MLB Policy in 2020 |url=https://www.sportscasting.com/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-tragic-death-a-year-ago-changed-mlb-policy-in-2020/ |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=Sportscasting |date=June 30, 2020 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115234519/https://www.sportscasting.com/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-tragic-death-a-year-ago-changed-mlb-policy-in-2020/ |url-status=live }} Skaggs continued to suffer from physical pain which he managed through self-medication. In the final start of his career Skaggs threw 91 pitches in {{frac|4|1|3}} innings against the Oakland Athletics, and sportswriter Nathan Fenno observed him to be less effective than he had been throughout the season.{{cite news |last1=Fenno |first1=Nathan |title=The last days of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs: painkillers, an overdose and a search for answers |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-04-29/angels-tyler-skaggs-overdose-death-eric-kay-investigation-charges |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 29, 2021 |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701005851/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-04-29/angels-tyler-skaggs-overdose-death-eric-kay-investigation-charges |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} In total Skaggs posted a 28–38 win–loss record and a 4.41 ERA for his major league career, striking out 476 batters in {{frac|520|2|3}} innings pitched.

Pitching style

A 2009 MLB scouting report described Skaggs as a "young Barry Zito type", a "decent lefty" with "two above-average pitches". The report praised his {{convert|92|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} fastball and {{convert|70|–|73|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} curveball in particular, while noting some weakness in his pitch delivery.{{cite web |title=2009 Draft Reports |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=skaggs |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |access-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818230959/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/draft/y2009/reports.jsp?content=skaggs |url-status=live }} In 2012 Mike Newman of FanGraphs proclaimed Skaggs's {{convert|76|-|77|mph}} curveball the best in Minor League Baseball, but declared that his {{convert|80|–|81|mph}} changeup was in need of "additional refinement".{{cite web|url=http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/arizona-diamondbacks-pitching-prospect-tyler-skaggs-fangraphs-scouting-report-video/|title=Tyler Skaggs: Stuff-Versus-Stats|last=Newman|first=Mike|date=May 2, 2012|work=Fangraphs|access-date=October 1, 2012|archive-date=January 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130110062917/http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/arizona-diamondbacks-pitching-prospect-tyler-skaggs-fangraphs-scouting-report-video/|url-status=live}} By 2014, his main pitches included a {{convert|94|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} four-seam fastball, a curveball, and a changeup, occasionally utilizing a sinker as a self-proclaimed "secret weapon".{{cite news |last1=DiGiovanna |first1=Mike |title=Angels' Tyler Skaggs keeps Astros grounded in 5–1 win |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-angels-20140406-story.html#axzz2yVPyMrgm |access-date=February 27, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 5, 2014 |url-access=limited}}{{cite news |last1=Snyder |first1=Matt |title=Great signs early from Tyler Skaggs, Trevor Bauer, but caveats apply |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/great-signs-early-from-tyler-skaggs-trevor-bauer-but-caveats-apply/ |access-date=February 27, 2021 |work=CBS Sports |date=April 10, 2014 |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304161327/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/great-signs-early-from-tyler-skaggs-trevor-bauer-but-caveats-apply/ |url-status=live }}

Skaggs credited his recovery time after Tommy John surgery with improving his pitching technique. He told the Deseret News that the injury and recovery process helped him better understand his body and that he returned with more comfort and skill.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Carter |title=Bees pitcher Tyler Skaggs healthy, eager to start journey back to big leagues in Salt Lake City |url=https://www.deseret.com/2016/4/5/20586080/bees-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-healthy-eager-to-start-journey-back-to-big-leagues-in-salt-lake-city#this-is-a-2016-photo-of-tyler-skaggs-of-the-los-angeles-angels-baseball-team-this-image-reflects-the-los-angeles-angels-active-roster-as-of-friday-feb-26-2016-when-this-image-was-taken-ap-photo-chris-carlson |access-date=February 26, 2021 |work=Deseret News |date=April 5, 2016}} He continued to fall back primarily on his fastball and curve after returning to the mound, but began reintegrating his changeup into his pitching rotation during the 2018 season.{{cite news |last1=Fletcher |first1=Jeff |title=Tyler Skaggs continues to work on new changeup in Angels' loss to A's |url=https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2018/03/08/tyler-skaggs-continues-to-work-on-new-changeup-in-angels-loss-to-as/ |access-date=February 26, 2021 |work=Pasadena Star-News |date=March 8, 2018 |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304161318/https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2018/03/08/tyler-skaggs-continues-to-work-on-new-changeup-in-angels-loss-to-as/ |url-status=live }}

Personal life

Skaggs married his girlfriend, Carli Miles, on New Year's Eve in 2018. During the offseason, he trained at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, with fellow MLB players Scott and Tyler Heineman.{{cite news |last1=Fader |first1=Mirin |title=What Tyler Skaggs Left Behind |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2905611-what-tyler-skaggs-left-behind |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report |date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205093528/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2905611-what-tyler-skaggs-left-behind |url-status=live }} He remained close friends with Angels teammates Andrew Heaney and Patrick Corbin throughout his baseball career, and served as a groomsman at Corbin's wedding. Of Mexican descent on his mother's side, Skaggs had planned to represent Mexico at the 2021 World Baseball Classic.{{cite news |last1=Lacques |first1=Gabe |last2=Peter |first2=Josh |last3=Epstein |first3=Jori |title=100 best friends: Tyler Skaggs touched countless lives with big heart, sense of humor |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/07/03/tyler-skaggs-touched-countless-lives/1638997001/ |access-date=July 2, 2021 |work=USA Today |date=July 3, 2019 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807053502/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/07/03/tyler-skaggs-touched-countless-lives/1638997001/ |url-status=live }}

Death

On June 30, 2019, Skaggs texted Eric Kay, the communications director for the Angels, asking for painkillers. That night, Skaggs did not respond to his wife Carli's good-night text, which she typically sent when he was on the road. The following day, Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Southlake, Texas. He was pronounced dead at the scene.{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/01/sport/los-angeles-angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs/index.html |title=Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, 27, found dead in hotel room |first=Darra |last=Simon |date=July 2, 2019 |access-date=July 2, 2019 |website=CNN.com |archive-date=July 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706032319/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/01/sport/los-angeles-angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Epstein |first1=Jori |title=Tyler Skaggs' death hit Los Angeles Angels 'like a punch in the heart' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/angels/2019/07/02/tyler-skaggs-los-angeles-angels-press-conference/1630741001/ |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703185020/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/angels/2019/07/02/tyler-skaggs-los-angeles-angels-press-conference/1630741001/ |url-status=live }} He was 27 years old. Investigators discovered a number of pills in Skaggs's hotel room, including a 30 mg oxycodone pill, additional 5 mg oxycodone pills, several anti-inflammatories, and white powder on the floor. The Angels had been in Arlington, Texas, to play a four-game series against the Rangers, and Skaggs was scheduled to start the Fourth of July game.{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jeff |title=Death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, 27, forces cancellation of Rangers game Monday |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article232164537.html |access-date=July 1, 2019 |newspaper=The Fort Worth Star-Telegram |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701212746/https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article232164537.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Upon news of his death, both teams agreed to postpone the start of the series, which had been scheduled for later that day.{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-death-los-angeles-angels |title=Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs dies at age 27 |first=Charlotte |last=Carroll |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=July 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702161048/https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/07/01/tyler-skaggs-death-los-angeles-angels |url-status=live}} The initial statement issued by the Southlake Police Department said that neither suicide nor foul play were suspected.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-27-found-dead-in-hotel-room-texas-police-say-no-foul-play-is-suspected/ |title=Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, 27, found dead in hotel room; Texas police say no foul play is suspected |first=R.J. |last=Anderson |date=July 2, 2019 |access-date=July 2, 2019 |website=CBS Sports |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703025222/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-27-found-dead-in-hotel-room-texas-police-say-no-foul-play-is-suspected/ |url-status=live }}

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and found a mix of fentanyl, oxycodone, and alcohol in Skaggs's system and that he had a blood alcohol level of 0.12.{{Cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Alden |date=August 30, 2019 |title=Coroner: Skaggs died of accidental overdose |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27501379/coroner-skaggs-died-accidental-overdose |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830203727/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27501379/coroner-skaggs-died-accidental-overdose |archive-date=August 30, 2019 |access-date=August 30, 2019 |work=ESPN |agency=ESPN News Services}}{{cite news |url=https://beta.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/30/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-had-opioids-alcohol-his-system-time-his-death/|title=Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs had opioids, alcohol in his system at time of death |last=Bogage |first=Jacob |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 1, 2019 |date=August 30, 2019 |url-access=limited}} The examination concluded that Skaggs had died of asphyxia after aspirating his own vomit, and his death was ruled an accident.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2019-08-30/tyler-skaggs-autopsy-report-fentanyl-oxycodone-alcohol-angels-rusty-hardin |title=Tyler Skaggs' autopsy: Fentanyl, oxycodone, and alcohol led to death by choking on vomit |date=August 30, 2019 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830194259/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2019-08-30/tyler-skaggs-autopsy-report-fentanyl-oxycodone-alcohol-angels-rusty-hardin |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) later determined that fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin, was the primary contributor to Skaggs's death, and that he likely would have survived if not for the substance.{{cite news |last =Wagner |first =James |title=What to know about the investigation into Tyler Skaggs' death |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/sports/baseball/tyler-skaggs-eric-kay-angels.html |access-date=August 30, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830121006/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/sports/baseball/tyler-skaggs-eric-kay-angels.html |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |url-status=live |url-access=limited }}

=Memorials=

File:Tyler Skaggs Memorial at the 2019 MLB All Star Game (48301282897).jpg.]]

News of Skaggs's death triggered an outpouring of grief in MLB. On July 2, Patrick Corbin of the Washington Nationals, who was drafted in the same round as Skaggs and had been traded with him to Arizona, switched his jersey number to Skaggs's No. 45 for a game against the Miami Marlins.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/patrick-corbin-wears-45-for-tyler-skaggs|title=Corbin to wear No. 45 tonight to honor Skaggs |first=Jamal |last=Collier |date=July 2, 2019|access-date=July 2, 2019 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |archive-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703033206/https://www.mlb.com/news/patrick-corbin-wears-45-for-tyler-skaggs|url-status=live}} Mike Trout and Tommy La Stella, the Angels' two All-Star representatives, also wore No. 45 to honor Skaggs at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/mike-trout-tommy-la-stella-wear-no-45-to-honor-tyler-skaggs-at-all-star-game/ar-AAE5Nk9 |title=Mike Trout, Tommy la Stella wear No. 45 to honor Tyler Skaggs at All-Star Game |website=MSN.com |date=July 9, 2019 |access-date=July 13, 2019|archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713002153/https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/mike-trout-tommy-la-stella-wear-no-45-to-honor-tyler-skaggs-at-all-star-game/ar-AAE5Nk9}} On Players Weekend in 2019 all major league players wore a No. 45 patch on their jerseys. Corbin, Ryan Braun, Jesse Chavez, Jack Flaherty, Max Fried, Lucas Giolito, Scott Heineman, Mike Moustakas, and Christian Yelich also wore nicknames that honored Skaggs.{{cite press release |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-skaggs-tribute-set-for-players-weekend |title=Tyler Skaggs tribute set for Players' Weekend |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824050541/https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-skaggs-tribute-set-for-players-weekend |url-status=live }} All the Angels' players wore a No. 45 patch for the rest of the 2019 season.{{cite news |title=Angels to wear '45' patch all season for Skaggs |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27115399/angels-wear-45-patch-all-season-skaggs |access-date=February 28, 2021 |website=ESPN |agency=ESPN News Services |date=July 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001637/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27115399/angels-wear-45-patch-all-season-skaggs |url-status=live }}

On July 6, 2019, Andrew Heaney made his first start since the death of his fellow left-hander and best friend. His first pitch against George Springer of the Houston Astros was Skaggs's signature overhand slow curveball, and it went intentionally unchallenged with no swing.{{cite news |last=McCullough |first=Andy |title=Andrew Heaney pays tribute to Tyler Skaggs in Angels' loss to Astros |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-astros-andrew-heaney-tyler-skaggs-20190706-story.html |access-date=July 8, 2019|date=July 6, 2019 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |archive-date=July 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708071241/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-astros-andrew-heaney-tyler-skaggs-20190706-story.html|url-status=live|url-access=limited}} On July 12, at their first home game after Skaggs's death, every player on the Angels wore his No. 45 jersey. His mother, Debbie Hetman, threw the ceremonial first pitch, which Heaney caught.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27178907/angels-throw-no-hitter-night-honor-skaggs |title=Angels throw no-hitter on night to honor Skaggs |first=Alden |last=Gonzalez |date=July 13, 2019 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |website=ESPN |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714012003/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27178907/angels-throw-no-hitter-night-honor-skaggs |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-skaggs-honored-at-angel-stadium |title=Skaggs' mom throws 1st pitch on emotional night |access-date=July 13, 2019 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715114825/https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-skaggs-honored-at-angel-stadium |url-status=live }} Angels pitchers Taylor Cole and Félix Peña combined to throw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners, winning 13–0. It was the first combined no-hitter in California since July 13, 1991, the day of Skaggs's birth. After the game, the players removed their memorial jerseys and laid them on the mound to honor his memory.

After his death, Skaggs's wife and mother started the Tyler Skaggs Foundation, meant to support childhood athletic programs.{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.tylerskaggsfoundation.org/about |website=Tyler Skaggs Foundation |access-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127024650/https://www.tylerskaggsfoundation.org/about |url-status=live }} The MLB Players Trust donated $45,000 to the foundation on July 22, 2019.{{cite news |last=Carroll |first=Charlotte |title=MLB Players Trust Donating $45,000 to Tyler Skaggs Baseball Foundation |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/07/22/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-mlb-players-trust-donation-foundation |access-date=February 28, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 22, 2019 |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723150718/https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/07/22/angels-pitcher-tyler-skaggs-mlb-players-trust-donation-foundation |url-status=live }} The inaugural Tyler Skaggs Foundation all-star game took place at Jackie Robinson Stadium on July 10, 2021.{{cite news |last=Menzie |first=Ryan |title=Tyler Skaggs Foundation inaugural all-star game features West Ranch players |url=https://signalscv.com/2021/07/tyler-skaggs-foundation-inaugural-all-star-game-features-west-ranch-players/ |access-date=August 30, 2021 |newspaper=The Santa Clarita Valley Signal |date=July 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708194423/https://signalscv.com/2021/07/tyler-skaggs-foundation-inaugural-all-star-game-features-west-ranch-players/ |archive-date=July 8, 2021}}

=Legal action=

Following the results of Skaggs's autopsy, the Southlake Police Department released a statement that the case surrounding his death was still open, while the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office had not opened an investigation. Skaggs's family, meanwhile, hired Texas attorney Rusty Hardin to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.{{cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Jeff |title=Tyler Skaggs died of fentanyl, oxycodone, alcohol mixture, coroner says |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/08/30/tyler-skaggs-died-of-fentanyl-oxycodone-alcohol-mixture-coroner-says/ |newspaper=The Orange County Register |date=August 30, 2019 |access-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830235154/https://www.ocregister.com/2019/08/30/tyler-skaggs-died-of-fentanyl-oxycodone-alcohol-mixture-coroner-says/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} On October 13, after an investigation by the DEA, Kay told authorities he had provided oxycodone to Skaggs for years, and he gave the DEA the names of five other players within the organization that he believed were using opiates.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/13/us/la-angels-tyler-skaggs-team-official-oxy/index.html |title=Angels official provided Tyler Skaggs with oxycodone for years, lawyer says |first1=Dave |last1=Alsup |first2=Steve |last2=Almasy |website=CNN.com |date=October 13, 2019 |access-date=October 13, 2019 |archive-date=October 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013045602/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/13/us/la-angels-tyler-skaggs-team-official-oxy/index.html|url-status=live}} Kay was arrested on August 7 and later indicted by a federal grand jury on October 15 on charges related to Skaggs's death.{{cite news |last=Quinn |first=T.J. |title=Former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay indicted in Tyler Skaggs' overdose death |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30126925/former-los-angeles-angels-employee-eric-kay-indicted-tyler-skaggs-overdose-death |website=ESPN |date=October 16, 2020 |access-date=October 16, 2020 |archive-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017005419/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30126925/former-los-angeles-angels-employee-eric-kay-indicted-tyler-skaggs-overdose-death |url-status=live }} Kay's trial date was postponed multiple times, first due to Kay's attorney William Reagan Wynn contracting COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in North America,{{cite news |last=Fenno |first=Nathan |title=Eric Kay trial in connection with Tyler Skaggs' death rescheduled for April |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2020-11-13/eric-kay-trial-tyler-skaggs-death-rescheduled |access-date=February 28, 2021 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=November 13, 2020 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129000708/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2020-11-13/eric-kay-trial-tyler-skaggs-death-rescheduled |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} and then because of complications from the 2021 Texas power crisis.{{cite news |last=Ramirez |first=Domingo Jr. |title=Ex-Angels staffer goes to trial in August in fatal overdose of pitcher Tyler Skaggs |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article250556814.html |access-date=July 2, 2021 |newspaper=The Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=April 9, 2021 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192536/https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article250556814.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} After nearly three years of delays, the trial began on February 8, 2022.{{cite news |last=Fenno |first=Nathan |title=What to watch as Eric Kay's trial begins nearly three years after Tyler Skaggs' death |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2022-02-07/what-to-watch-as-eric-kays-trial-begins-nearly-three-years-after-tyler-skaggs-death |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=February 17, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217083725/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2022-02-07/what-to-watch-as-eric-kays-trial-begins-nearly-three-years-after-tyler-skaggs-death |url-status=live }} During the trial, Skaggs's teammates Matt Harvey, Mike Morin, Cam Bedrosian, and C. J. Cron testified that Kay had provided them with oxycodone pills.{{cite news |title=Matt Harvey, C.J. Cron among four MLB players to testify they got oxycodone from former Los Angeles Angels staffer Eric Kay |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33296708/matt-harvey-cj-cron-4-mlb-players-testify-got-drugs-former-los-angeles-angels-staffer-eric-kay |website=ESPN |date=February 15, 2022 |access-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217040651/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33296708/matt-harvey-cj-cron-4-mlb-players-testify-got-drugs-former-los-angeles-angels-staffer-eric-kay |url-status=live }} Harvey additionally testified that he had provided Skaggs with Percocet pills on several occasions.{{cite news |last=Perez |first=Daniela |title=Matt Harvey discusses drug use in trial of former Angels staffer |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/02/15/tyler-skaggs-trial-matt-harvey-discusses-drug-use-in-court |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=February 15, 2022 |access-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217160205/https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/02/15/tyler-skaggs-trial-matt-harvey-discusses-drug-use-in-court |url-status=live }} On February 17, Kay was found guilty on two counts relating to Skaggs's death: Distribution of controlled substances resulting in death, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=Chuck |title=Former L.A. Angels' official convicted in overdose death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/17/sport/tyler-skaggs-death-eric-kay-conviction-spt/index.html |website=CNN |date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217232706/https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/17/sport/tyler-skaggs-death-eric-kay-conviction-spt/index.html |url-status=live }} The jury reached a verdict after only 90 minutes of deliberation.{{cite news |last=Castillo |first=Jorge |title=Eric Kay found guilty of supplying drugs that led to death of Angels' Tyler Skaggs |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2022-02-17/angels-eric-kay-found-guilty-supplying-drugs-tyler-skaggs-death |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=February 22, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222042334/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2022-02-17/angels-eric-kay-found-guilty-supplying-drugs-tyler-skaggs-death |url-status=live }} On October 11, Kay was sentenced to 22 years in prison.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/10/11/eric-kay-sentencing/?outputType=amp |title=Former Angels employee Eric Kay sentenced to 22 years in Tyler Skaggs case |last=Garcia-Roberts |first=Gus |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 11, 2022 |date=October 11, 2022 |url-access=limited}}

After Kay's indictment legal experts like Marc Edelman, a professor at the City University of New York who specializes in sports law, questioned whether the Angels would face legal repercussions for Skaggs's death.{{cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Jeff |title=Details of Tyler Skaggs' death cast further legal questions over Angels |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/10/14/details-of-tyler-skaggs-death-cast-further-legal-questions-over-angels/ |access-date=August 30, 2021 |newspaper=The Orange County Register |date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304193116/https://www.ocregister.com/2019/10/14/details-of-tyler-skaggs-death-cast-further-legal-questions-over-angels/ |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} On June 29, 2021, Skaggs's widow and parents filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against Kay, the Angels, and former Angels vice president of communications Tim Mead.{{cite news |last1=Fenno |first1=Nathan |title=Tyler Skaggs' family sues Angels over pitcher's death |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2021-06-29/tyler-skaggs-family-sues-angels-over-pitcher-death |access-date=June 30, 2021 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=June 29, 2021 |archive-date=June 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629220732/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2021-06-29/tyler-skaggs-family-sues-angels-over-pitcher-death |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The lawsuit accused the team of allowing Kay, who had a history of substance abuse, "unrestricted access" to members of the Angels, who were "at risk of turning to medication to assist with pain management" because of the "rigors of a 162-game schedule".{{cite news |last1=Garcia-Roberts |first1=Gus |title=Tyler Skaggs' family sues Angels, former employees over pitcher's death |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/06/29/tyler-skaggs-fentanyl-death-family-lawsuits-angels/ |access-date=July 2, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 29, 2021 |archive-date=July 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702192540/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/06/29/tyler-skaggs-fentanyl-death-family-lawsuits-angels/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

The circumstances of Skaggs's death prompted MLB to consider adding random opioid screenings to the league's drug testing program. While opioids like oxycodone and fentanyl were considered "drugs of abuse" under MLB policy, players were not tested unless there was reasonable cause, or if they were part of a drug treatment program.{{cite news |last1=Shaikin |first1=Bill |title=MLB and players' union expected to discuss testing for opioids following Tyler Skaggs' death |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2019-09-06/opioids-testing-mlb-players-union-discuss-tyler-skaggs-death |access-date=August 30, 2021 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=September 6, 2019 |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127105351/https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/story/2019-09-06/opioids-testing-mlb-players-union-discuss-tyler-skaggs-death |url-status=live |url-access=limited }} On December 12, 2019, MLB and the players' union agreed to start regularly testing players for both opioids and cocaine, and to assign players and team staff to mandatory educational programs on the dangers of prescription painkillers.{{cite news |title=MLB, union agree to opioid testing after Tyler Skaggs' death |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/12/12/mlb-opioid-testing-union |access-date=August 30, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |agency=Associated Press |date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712153740/https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/12/12/mlb-opioid-testing-union |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |url-status=live }} No opioid violations were found in MLB in the first two years after testing was implemented.{{cite news |last=Verducci |first=Tom |title=MLB drug testing finds no opioid violations in two seasons |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/02/17/opioid-testing-in-baseball-eric-kay |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=February 16, 2022 |access-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222025022/https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/02/17/opioid-testing-in-baseball-eric-kay |url-status=live }}