Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs dies, game vs. Rangers postponed

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From the Detroit Free Press:

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died Monday afternoon in Texas at the team hotel, hours before the team was scheduled to begin a four-game series against the Rangers.

The Southlake (Texas) Police Department said police were called to the team hotel this afternoon and found Skaggs "unresponsive" in his room. The department said no foul play is suspected and the investigation is ongoing.

A 911 call at 2:18 CT summoned Tarrant County emergency personnel to the Angels' team hotel in Southlake. Just more than a minute later, an emergency dispatch termed it a "possible death investigation" and Southlake police were summoned.

Monday's game has been postponed as both teams were stunned by the news.

"There were a lot of pretty emotional guys in there. Some guys knew him. Some guys who didn't even know him were physically shaken," Rangers manager Chris Woodward said at a hastily arranged press conference. "It's heartbreaking. You could tell our guys were pretty upset."

Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs was in his seventh MLB season. He had a career record of 96-96 and an ERA of 4.41.
Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs was in his seventh MLB season. He had a career record of 96-96 and an ERA of 4.41.

The Angels did not reveal the cause of death for the 27-year-old left-hander, but did express the organization's sympathies on social media.

"Tyler has, and always will be, an important part of the Angels family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carli and his entire family during this devastating time."

Skaggs was on the Angels' flight to Texas and posted a photo on Instagram yesterday posing with the team in full cowboy gear.


Skaggs, a first-round pick by the Angels in the 2009 draft, was in his seventh major league season. He had a career record of 96-96 and an ERA of 4.41 over five years with the Angels and two with the Arizona Diamondbacks.


MLB commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement Monday afternoon:

“I am deeply saddened by today’s tragedy in Texas. All of us at Major League Baseball extend our deepest condolences to Tyler’s wife Carli, their family, their friends and all of his Angels’ teammates and colleagues. We will support the Angels’ organization through this most difficult period, and we will make a variety of resources available to Tyler’s teammates and other members of the baseball family.”

Skaggs becomes the second active Angels starting pitcher in the past decade to pass away during the season. On April 9, 2009, Nick Adenhart, 22, was killed by a drunk driver in Fullerton, Calif., hours after he started a game at Angel Stadium.

Skaggs was a Southern California native drafted originally by the Angels and then traded to Arizona in a deal that sent Dan Haren to Anaheim; he was eventually traded back to the Angels. He was married over the off-season and had purchased a home in his native Santa Monica.

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