5 MLB pitchers on witness list for trial over Skaggs' death

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Five major league pitchers are on the government's witness list for the trial of a former Los Angeles Angels employee accused of providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the drugs that caused his overdose death.

Boston's Garrett Richards, who spent his first eight big league seasons with the Angels, would testify that Eric Prescott Kay once asked him for unused oxycodone pills, according to filing by federal prosecutors posted Thursday.

Kay's trial is scheduled to start Tuesday in Fort Worth after several postponements. He faces charges of drug distribution and drug conspiracy in Skaggs’ death. The charges carry a maximum of a life sentence and 20 years in prison, respectively.

Attorneys for both sides didn't immediately return messages seeking comment. Kay has been free on his own recognizance.

Andrew Heaney of the New York Yankees, one of Skaggs' closest friends when they were teammates, is on the witness list along with three other former Angels in Cam Bedrosian, Matt Harvey and Blake Parker.

All five pitchers on the list were with the Angels at some point during the 2017-19 seasons, when prosecutors allege Kay obtained oxycodone pills and distributed them to Skaggs and other players.

Bedrosian, Harvey and Parker are among those who would testify that Kay distributed drugs to Skaggs and other players, according to the government's filing.

Skaggs, 27, was found dead in his suburban Dallas hotel room on July 1, 2019, before the start of what was supposed to be a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. The first game was postponed.

A coroner’s report said Skaggs had choked to death on his vomit with a toxic mix of alcohol and the drugs fentanyl and oxycodone in his system, which Kay is accused of providing.

The government's filing said...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/5-MLB-pitchers-on-witness-list-for-trial-over-16830389.php