Former UNC Pitchers Harvey, Morin Testify in MLB Death Lawsuit

Two former UNC star pitchers testified Tuesday in the case of the death of Tyler Skaggs, a former MLB pitcher who died during the 2019 season with a mixture of alcohol and the drugs Oxycodone and fentanyl found in his system. Matt Harvey and Mike Morin were among four former teammates of Skaggs to testify in the case. Both Harvey and Morin admitted to learning how to use the drugs while in college at Carolina.

Morin played with Skaggs during the 2017 season, while Harvey was on the Angels during the 2019 season.

The trial is being held in Fort Worth, TX, just a few miles from where Skaggs died shortly before the Angels were scheduled to play the Texas Rangers. Former Angels employee Eric Kay is charged with distributing opioids and causing Skaggs’ death.

Harvey, who pitched at UNC from 2008 through 2010, was subpoenaed before appearing in court. He acknowledged using cocaine before and during the 2019 season with the Angels, before testifying Skaggs provided him with Oxycodone during the season.

Harvey testified to the use of the drugs being tied to desperation to stay on the active roster and avoid injury.

“In baseball you do everything you can to stay on the field,” he said. “At the time I felt as a teammate I was just helping [Skaggs] get through whatever he needed to get through.”

Harvey described drug usage in the Angels’ dugout, clubhouse and bathroom in 2019. He did not travel with the team to Texas before Skaggs’ death, but flew in later when he heard the news. Kay had just returned to the team from rehab, and the trip to Texas was his first with the Angels since then. Harvey acknowledged Skaggs had another dealer during Kay’s absence, but also testified that Kay provided him with Oxycodone just before the Angels departed. After he received the news of Skaggs’ death, Harvey got rid of his remaining pills.

“I wanted absolutely nothing to do with that anymore, and I was very scared,” he said.

Morin, who pitched at UNC from 2010 through 2012, testified after Harvey. He said that between 2016 and 2017, Skaggs introduced him to Kay to get “pain medication.”

Morin described either biting or snorting a third or a half of a pill at the ballpark. Both Morin and Harvey testified to learning to do this while at UNC. Morin also said that when Kay was in rehab, in May 2019, Skaggs told him he was off Oxycodone.

Harvey and Morin each testified to knowing the dangers of mixing Oxycodone and alcohol. In cross-examination, defense attorney Michael Molfetta asked Harvey if he’d ever told Skaggs to be careful.

“Looking back, I wish I had,” Harvey replied.

The defense is scheduled to begin its case on Wednesday in the weeklong trial, while closing arguments will be made Thursday.

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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Former UNC Pitchers Harvey, Morin Testify in MLB Death Lawsuit

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