MLB: Angels pitcher Skaggs, 27, found dead in hotel
ARLINGTON, Texas — Tyler Skaggs persevered through injuries to be a valuable pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels.
The lefthander had posted a photo of himself and teammates in cowboy hats for their weeklong trip to Texas, where he was to start Thursday.
The 27yearold pitcher died Monday, when he was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Texas, stunning Major League Baseball and leading to the postponement of the series opener against the Rangers.
Skaggs was “an important part of the Angels Family,” the team said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Carli, and his entire family during this devastating time.”
Police said they were investigating but that no foul play was suspected.
Skaggs, who would have turned 28 on July 13 and was married seven months ago, had been a regular in the Angels’ starting rotation since late 2016, when the lefthander returned from Tommy John surgery. He struggled with injuries but was 77 in 15 starts this season to help an injuryplagued rotation.
At the team’s hotel about 20 miles from the ballpark, AllStar center fielder Mike Trout was among players in the lobby and a nearby patio before they all left together to go to another part of the hotel. Trout shared his thoughts on Twitter.
“Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carli and their families. Remembering him as a great teammate, friend, and person who will forever remain in our hearts… we love you, 45,” Trout said in the post.
Skaggs was born in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Woodland Hills, in the western part of the San Fernando Valley. He grew up in Santa Monica, on the west side of the Los Angeles metroplex, but rooted for the Angels instead of the closer Dodgers. He graduated from Santa Monica High School in 2009, when the Angels drafted him in the first round.
The Angels traded Skaggs to Arizona in 2010, and he started his bigleague career with 13 appearances over two seasons for the Diamondbacks. The Angels reacquired him in December 2013, and he won 25 games over five seasons.
His last start was in a 40 loss to the A’s on Saturday.