During a court appearance Tuesday, Matt Harvey testified under oath that he shared a Percocet supply with Angels teammate Tyler Skaggs during the 2019 season, which, according to ESPN investigative reporter T.J. Quinn, is a violation of Major League Baseball’s drug policy. Should Harvey, who is currently a free agent, sign with another MLB team, he’d be subject to a possible suspension of 60 or more games.
Harvey was summoned to Fort Worth as a witness in the case of former Angels employee Eric Kay, who is standing trial for drug distribution and conspiracy in the overdose death of Skaggs, charges that carry a minimum 20-year prison sentence with the possibility of life behind bars. Harvey, who would have invoked his fifth amendment right had he not been granted immunity, admitted to sharing pills with Skaggs, who requested Percocet so he could feel “loosey goosey” on the mound. Cam Bedrosian, C.J. Cron, Mike Morin and Blake Parker all testified to using opioids during their time with the Angels, but didn’t say they distributed any drugs.
MLB plans to “conduct a comprehensive review” but can’t discipline Harvey until the lockout ends. Once that happens, Harvey would be able to appeal any suspension.
A former All-Star starter and Comeback Player of the Year, Harvey fared poorly last season, logging a disastrous 6.27 ERA over 28 starts for Baltimore in 2021. Drafted with the seventh pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, the “Dark Knight” rose to stardom with the Mets but flamed out quickly, becoming a tabloid fixture while gaining a reputation as a hard partier on the New York club circuit. Injuries and diminished velocity hastened his demise with the embattled right-hander soon pitching for six teams (the Mets, Reds, Angels, Athletics, Royals and Orioles) in a span of four seasons. According to Audacy insider Jon Heyman, Harvey sought help for his substance abuse after 2019 and is now on the path to recovery.
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