Tyler Skaggs' Tragic Story: Surgeon Testifies About Opioid Use In Court

Surgeon’s Surprising Testimony in Skaggs' Trial

The courtroom in Orange County buzzed with tension as renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache took the stand on Wednesday, December 3rd. He candidly testified that he had no knowledge of Tyler Skaggs’ opioid use when he performed Tommy John surgery on the Los Angeles Angels pitcher back in 2014. This revelation added another layer of complexity to the ongoing wrongful death trial concerning Skaggs.

Dr. ElAttrache’s statements directly contradicted prior claims made by Skaggs’ mother, who asserted that the surgeon was informed about her son’s struggles with painkiller addiction. The entire situation revolves around whether the Angels organization, which handled the medical procedure as a workers' compensation issue, had access to and overlooked Skaggs’ history with illicit drugs.

“I can’t recall ever having that discussion,” said ElAttrache, reflecting on any conversation linking Skaggs with opioids.

Opioids and Professional Pressures

The courtroom drama unfolded further as evidence showed that Skaggs obtained illicit opioids through Eric Kay, a communications staffer with the Angels. Skaggs’ tragic death in a Texas hotel room in 2019, due to a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl, oxycodone, and alcohol, loomed large over the proceedings. Kay is currently serving time in prison for his involvement.

The testimony from family members revealed that Skaggs had opened up about his issues with Percocet back in 2013 while still with the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, his wife and agent claimed ignorance of any continuing dependency after his switch to the Angels in 2014.

Angels' Defense Strategy

Throughout the trial, the Angels’ defense team has aimed to demonstrate that Skaggs’ concealed addiction made it difficult for the team to intervene. They argue that the high-pressure environment of professional baseball wasn’t the cause of Skaggs’ illegal drug use.

A notable point during the trial was a text exchange from August 2018, where Skaggs expressed his pain post-pitching and his wish for a dose pack, a steroid course, which was denied by his agent due to its potential harm to health and legality issues. The Angels, reportedly among the first teams to reduce dose pack distribution, were highlighted.

The ongoing trial will resume Friday, with more revelations expected in Santa Ana's courtroom, as insiders and family members continue to share their insights into the tragic story of Tyler Skaggs.