The Angels announced Monday that pitcher Tyler Skaggs died. The team was scheduled to begin a series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, but the game has been canceled.
The Southlake, Texas, police department released the following statement: “[Monday] at 2:18 p.m. CDT the Southlake Police Department responded to a call of an unconscious male in a room in the Hilton hotel at 1400 Plaza Place. Officers arrived and found the male unresponsive, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
The statement went on to say that no foul play is suspected and an investigation is ongoing. A Southlake police spokesman said suicide “is not suspected.”
“It is with great sorrow that we report Tyler Skaggs passed away earlier today in Texas,” the Angels said in a statement.
“Tyler has, and always will be, an important part of the Angels Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Carli, and his entire family during this devastating time.
“There are no other details at this time, please keep Tyler’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”
The Angels’ clubhouse did not open Monday and the entire Angels team and traveling party left Globe Life Park for the hotel upon being informed of Skaggs’ death. Angels star outfielder Mike Trout, who was drafted by the team the same year as Skaggs, tweeted this message Monday evening: “Words cannot express the deep sadness we feel right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carli and their families. Remembering (Tyler) as a great teammate, friend, and person who will forever remain in our hearts. . . . we love you, (number) 45.”
The Rangers had already begun a news conference, and manager Chris Woodward said: “There were a lot of pretty emotional guys in our clubhouse. Some guys knew him. Guys were physically shaken. This isn’t something we deal with on a daily basis. It’s heartbreaking. You can tell our guys were pretty upset.”
Skaggs, 27, had been one of the Angels’ most reliable pitchers this season, going 7-7 with an ERA of 4.29 in 79 2/3 innings. He was 28-38 with a 4.41 ERA in seven major league seasons.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement: “I am deeply saddened by today’s tragedy in Texas. All of us at Major League Baseball extend our deepest condolences to Tyler’s wife, Carli, their family, their friends and all of his Angels’ teammates and colleagues. We will support the Angels’ organization through this most difficult period, and we will make a variety of resources available to Tyler’s teammates and other members of the baseball family.”
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