Angels and Tyler Skaggs’ family may have reached a settlement after trial about his fatal overdose

By Canadian Press on December 19, 2025.

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels and the family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs may have reached a settlement Friday following a trial over whether the team should be held responsible for Skaggs’ 2019 fatal drug overdose, a judge said.

Jurors began deliberating earlier this week after a two-month trial in the case. Skaggs died after he snorted a fentanyl-laced pill provided by the team’s communications director, Eric Kay. Kay was previously sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in Skaggs’ death.

“It is my understanding that the parties may have reached a resolution,” Orange County Superior Court Judge H. Shaina Colover said. She then asked for a meeting with the attorneys for both sides, Skaggs’ widow and mother, and Angels president John Carpino.

Skaggs’ widow, Carli, and his parents filed a lawsuit alleging the MLB team knew or should have known Kay was a drug addict and dealing painkillers to players. The team contended officials didn’t know Skaggs was taking drugs and would have sought him help if they did.

The jurors remained behind closed doors mid-Friday morning. Lawyers for both sides had earlier gone to speak with the judge.

Late Wednesday, jurors sent out a note asking whether they “get to decide the punitive damage amount,” saying there is no field for it on the verdict form. The judge said she would send a note replying that if they decide there should be punitive damages, they would decide how much at a later time.

The jury did not work on Thursday and resumed deliberations Friday morning.

Amy Taxin, The Associated Press

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