Tyler Skaggs overdose case: New filings point finger at Reds pitcher
New details have emerged in late Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who died six years ago in a drug overdose case. The recently released evidence comes from his agent, Ryan Hamill, who revealed that Skaggs was supplied pain-killing pills by current Cincinnati Reds pitcher Wade Miley.
In a shocking case that came to light in the 2019 season, Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room just hours ahead of a series between the Angels and the Texas Rangers. A clinical autopsy conducted in the aftermath had tied former Angels publicist, Eric Kay, to have supplied the fentanyl-laced pills that caused Skaggs' death.
However, fresh reports link Skaggs to Miley and that Skaggs had been using pain-killing drugs for a longer time since the pair were teammates at the Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2012-13 season.
Hamill became concerned with his client's drug usage after noticing erratic behavior. The Creative Arts Agency employee had also informed the Skaggs family of the same.
“He came clean,” Hamill testified. “He said he had been using — I believe it was Percocets —and he said he got them through Wade Miley.”
The revelation was in the deposition that's part of the wrongful lawsuit filed by the Skaggs family, which tied the Los Angeles Angels to Tyler's death. Tyler was with the Angels since the 2014 season.
They sued the club for $210 million in damages. The club requested for a summary judgment regarding the wrongful accusation case and received the deposition.
Wade Miley likely to be suspended by MLB for violating drug policy
While Wade Miley won't be legally implicated in the case, there's a high chance that he will be suspended by the league after further investigation.
Earlier, Skaggs' teammate at the Angels Matt Harvey had testified in court during the Eric Kay trial about dealing with the deceased about pain killing drugs. After he testified, the MLB placed Harvey on a 60-day suspension, and he never made it back to the big leagues.
Miley, who signed a one-year contract with the Reds, might suffer the same fate. He started off the season on a minor-league deal but bypassed the opt-out clause and re-signed with them. He has made two appearances so far, pitched 7.0 innings and earned seven runs this season. There's yet to be an official statement from the Reds or Miley, himself.