As per a team release, Los Angeles Angels left-hander, Tyler Skaggs, 27, passed away on Monday in Texas, as the team was preparing to open up a four-game series with the Rangers in Arlington. Monday’s series opener has been postponed.
“Tyler has, and always will be, an important part of the Angels Family,” the team’s statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carli and his entire family during this devastating time.”
According to Mike Hiserman and Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times, Southlake (TX) Police “were called to the team hotel and found [Skaggs] unresponsive.” They added that “no foul play is suspected,” but that an investigation would continue.
Skaggs, born in Woodland Hills, California and a Santa Monica High alum, was drafted 40th overall by the Angels in the 2009 MLB draft, eventually making his way to the majors in 2012 with Arizona.
After being acquired by the D-Backs in 2010 in the deal that sent Patrick Corbin, Rafael Rodriguez, and Joe Saunders to Arizona in exchange for Dan Haren, Skaggs was dealt back to Los Angeles in 2013 in the Mark Trumbo deal.
Skaggs carried with him a 4.55 ERA over 96 starts for the Angels since 2014 (he missed all of 2015 after undergoing TJS) and owned a 4.63 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 1.27 WHIP, and a 105 ERA+ over 15 starts for Los Angeles this season.
