The Los Angeles Angels announced Monday the death of their Pitcher Tyler Skaggs had died at the age of 27 on Monday, creating a shock wave through Major League Baseball and forcing the surrender of their clash against the Texas Rangers.
Skaggs was with the team in Texas when his body was found in his hotel room. His death was found on the scene. The police said she was investigating, but for now, the signs do not seem to point to a suspicious death.
In a press release, the team reported that Skaggs had been an important part of the Angels family and offered condolences to his wife Carli and the pitcher’s family.
Skaggs has been a regular in the Angels starter rotation since the end of the 2016 season, when he returned from his Tommy John type surgery.
Skaggs has struggled with injuries in the last three seasons, but has persevered to become an important starter for the Angels. He started 15 games in 2019, showing a 7-7 record.
The southpaw was the Angels starter in the Saturday night game against the Oakland Athletics. He had awarded two points in four innings and a third in the mound.
Major Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he was deeply saddened by Skaggs’ death.
“We will support the Angels organization during this difficult time and we will be providing a variety of resources for Tyler’s teammates and other members of the baseball family,” added Manfred in a statement.
Skaggs, who would have celebrated his 28th birthday on July 13, was born in Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles. He graduated from Santa Monica High School in 2009, when the Angels drafted him in the first round.
The Angels traded Skaggs at the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 and began his professional career with 13 appearances in two seasons with this team. The California formation acquired its services in December 2013 and had won 25 games since.
Skaggs had 24 starts last season, a career high, claiming a record of 8-10 and a 4.02 earned run average. He missed playing time in April this season due to an ankle injury.
“The brotherhood of players is shaken and saddened by Tyler’s surprise death and we want to express our sympathies to his wife, Carli, his family, his teammates and his friends,” said the President of the Players’ Association Major League Baseball, Tony Clark.
Skaggs was drafted the same year as Mike Trout. Both players were roommates in the minor ranks in Iowa, in 2010.
Angels statement on the passing of Tyler Skaggs. pic.twitter.com/6XA2Vu1uWV
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 1, 2019