Former Mets ace Matt Harvey appeared in court Tuesday, testifying in the case of ex-Angels employee Eric Kay, who is standing trial for allegedly providing drugs that may have contributed to Tyler Skaggs’ fatal overdose in 2019. Harvey, who would have invoked his fifth amendment right had he not been granted immunity, admitted to sharing Percocet with Skaggs while the two were Angels teammates in 2019.
The 32-year-old, who made 28 starts for Baltimore last season, told prosecutors he was a “partier” in his early career, claiming cocaine to be his drug of choice. When asked if teams were aware of his drug use during this time, Harvey said, “No one really asked.” A former All-Star starter, Harvey said he tried oxycodone at Skaggs’ recommendation in 2019, but “didn’t like how it felt.” In June of that season, Skaggs approached Harvey before a road trip, requesting Percocet so he could feel “loosey goosey” on the mound.
When Harvey, who did not join the Angels on their road trip to Texas (he was rehabbing a back injury), learned of Skaggs’ fatal overdose, he quickly disposed of a blue oxycodone pill Kay had left in his locker. “Guys are constantly doing what they can to stay on the field,” said Harvey of baseball’s drug culture, characterizing oxycodone and Percocet use as “common” throughout MLB. “At the time, I thought I was being a good teammate.” Harvey claims he used drugs in both the Angels’ locker room and dugout while Skaggs was known to crush and snort oxy pills on the toilet paper dispenser in the clubhouse bathroom.
Harvey was unsure if he had ever seen Kay distribute pills to Skaggs and also claims he was unaware of Skaggs’ history with Percocet beginning in 2013. Among other damning revelations, Harvey declined a police interview shortly after Skaggs’ death in 2019, citing a desire to protect Kay. Harvey named his Percocet source as a “hockey player,” but wouldn’t reveal his identity.
Skaggs was found dead in his Texas hotel room July 1, 2019, 12 days before what would have been his 28th birthday. Skaggs’ autopsy showed he died of asphyxia, choking on his own vomit with oxycodone, fentanyl and alcohol found in his system. The Santa Monica native compiled a 4.25 ERA over 96 major-league starts for the Diamondbacks and Angels from 2012-19. If Kay, who faces charges of drug distribution and drug conspiracy, is found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
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