Washington Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin will wear jersey No. 45 rather than his usual No. 46 Tuesday to honor Tyler Skaggs, Corbin’s former teammate who died Monday at age 27.
Manager Dave Martinez announced Corbin’s intention to wear Skaggs’ number before the game. Corbin was already scheduled to start the Nationals’ home game against the Miami Marlins.
Corbin and Skaggs both pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012 and 2013. The two pitchers came up through the system together, and Martinez said Skaggs was Corbin’s best friend.
“He was emotional earlier, but he said he wants to pitch,” Martinez said. “He feels like it’s what he needs to do. I told him hey, you have the support of myself, your players, your coaches, the organization and the fans. We’re all behind you, so do what you can. We’ll keep an eye on him throughout the game.”
Martinez said the Nationals organization sends its heartfelt condolences to Skaggs’ family and the Los Angeles Angels.
“It’s a tough ordeal. Regardless of teams we play on, this is a baseball family and he was part of it,” Martinez said.
Max Scherzer said his heart dropped when he heard the news of Skaggs’ death.
“Baseball as a whole, we’re a fraternity,” Scherzer said. “We lost more than a pitcher in Tyler. Everybody feels that burden.”
“It puts things in perspective,” Brian Dozier added. “We are human. We are real people.”
The Angels pitcher was found dead in his room at the team’s hotel in Dallas Monday, several hours before the Angels and Rangers were scheduled to play. Monday’s game was canceled and will be made up at a date to be determined.
There was no report about the cause of Skaggs’ death, but police did not expect foul play.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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