Wade Miley Addresses Tyler Skaggs Drug Allegations in Lawsuit

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Wade Miley found himself in the spotlight this week, named in a deposition as an alleged drug supplier to the late Tyler Skaggs, who tragically died of an overdose in 2019. Skaggs’ former agent, Ryan Hamill, claimed in a wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles Angels that Skaggs had used oxycodone-laced pain pills provided by Miley, a former teammate from their Arizona Diamondbacks days.

Miley, 38, addressed the allegations briefly on Friday, expressing sorrow for Skaggs’ loss. "I hate what happened to Tyler. It sucks. My thoughts are with his family," he said, sidestepping further comment. "I’ve never been accused of any wrongdoing."

The lawsuit has peeled back layers of a darker side of baseball, with former Angels publicist Eric Kay already convicted for supplying fentanyl-laced pills that contributed to Skaggs’ death. Kay’s 2022 sentencing revealed a recorded conversation implicating Miley, though no criminal charges have been filed against him. Other players, including former Mets star Matt Harvey, admitted to drug involvement with Skaggs, painting a troubling picture of recreational drug use within the Angels’ clubhouse.

Miley, who recently returned to the Reds after Tommy John surgery, remains focused on his comeback. Skaggs, just 27, was found lifeless in a Texas hotel room, leaving behind a grieving family and a sport grappling with its demons.