Trout’s brother-in-law dead at 24

LOS ANGELES — Aaron Cox, brother-in-law of Angels star Mike Trout and until recently a pitching prospect in the team’s minor- league system, died Wednesday. He was 24. No cause of death was listed. Cox was the younger brother of Trout’s wife, Jessica Tara Cox.

Trout, who is on the disabled list because of a right wrist injury, left the team earlier this week to be with his family in Millville, N.J.

Like Trout, Cox starred at Millville High. A 19th-round pick out of Division II Gannon (Pa.) University in 2015, Cox went 7-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 68 games over three seasons for rookie-league Orem and Class ABurlington and Inland Empire.

But he did not pitch at all in 2017. The right-hander suffered an orbital fracture when he was hit in the eye by a line drive in spring training and was suspended for 50 games that July after testing positive for the banned stimulant methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin.

The drug is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Players who test positive without applying for a therapeutic use exemp- tion are subject to a suspension.

Cox returned this season and spent the first two months at Inland Empire, compiling a 4.11 ERA in 11 relief appearances. But he had not pitched since May 29, and last week he was placed on the voluntarily retired list.

Asked if he could discuss the cause of death, Tim Mead, the Angels’ vice president of communications, said:

“That is not important right now.

“What is important is that every member of Aaron’s family and every one of his friends take time to digest this loss and grieve in their own way.”