In a sudden twist to the ongoing legal battle centering around the tragic death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, new allegations have surfaced involving Cincinnati Reds’ pitcher, Wade Miley. Documents submitted in court implicate Miley in providing narcotic substances to Skaggs, who died from an accidental overdose back in 2019.
Ryan Hamill, who formerly represented Skaggs as an agent, testified under oath that Skaggs had disclosed to him the use of oxycodone-containing pain pills, allegedly sourced from Miley. These revelations are pivotal in a wrongful death lawsuit initiated by Skaggs’ family against the Angels organization in California. Furthermore, Eric Kay, a former team publicist for the Angels, had already been convicted in Texas for supplying Skaggs with fentanyl-laced pills, reportedly a significant factor in his untimely death. Kay is presently serving a 22-year sentence in federal prison.
The heartbreak unfolded in a Dallas-area hotel where Skaggs’ lifeless body was discovered. It occurred amidst a scheduled series between the Angels and Texas Rangers. Although Miley has not been charged criminally, his name has frequently emerged in relation to Skaggs’ death. Notably, during Kay’s sentencing, prosecutors introduced evidence of a recorded conversation wherein Kay mentioned Miley as a potential source for Skaggs’ drugs.
As of Thursday, the Cincinnati Reds have chosen not to offer comments on the matter, and Miley himself remains unavailable for any statements. Interestingly, Matt Harvey, who has since retired from major league pitching, disclosed during Kay’s trial that he also distributed drugs to Skaggs. Consequently, Harvey faced a 60-day suspension after breaching Major League Baseball’s drug policy and has not returned to the majors since. In court, he, along with three other players, described their encounters with Skaggs involving recreational drug usage within the team.
In 2019, Harvey and Skaggs were part of the Angels’ roster, sharing the same team as Miley and Skaggs did back in 2012-13 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hamill recalled how in 2013, after observing Skaggs’ irregular behavior, he approached Skaggs’ parents with his concerns. After confronting Skaggs together, the pitcher admitted to drug use and named Miley as a supplier.
Wade Miley, now 38, rejoined the Reds after signing a one-year agreement on June 4, following his recovery from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. Last May, he underwent this significant surgery, thereafter inking a minor league contract with Cincinnati in February. Though opted out of his minor league deal earlier, he stayed with the Reds while considering opportunities with other teams before securing his current position with Cincinnati.
In light of these allegations, it remains to be seen how this will affect Miley’s career moving forward, as neither the Reds nor he has chosen to address these claims publicly at this time.