MLB pitcher Matt Harvey made it clear when he took the stand Tuesday in the drug conspiracy trial of Eric Kay that he was there only because he was subpoenaed and granted immunity.
That was a hint that his testimony would be explosive, and it was.
Kay, the former Los Angeles Angels communications director, is accused of providing pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the drugs that may have led to his death in 2019.
According to several reporters covering the trial, Harvey, a former New York Mets star, admitted to using cocaine while partying in the past. Harvey, who was a teammate of Skaggs’ in Los Angeles in 2019, also said he took oxycodone that year, according to ESPN’s T.J. Quinn.
Harvey says he was a partier. Prosecutor asks, what did you party with? Harvey: “Cocaine.”
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) February 15, 2022
Skaggs accidentally died of asphyxia after choking on his own vomit in July 2019. The autopsy found a mixture of fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol in his system.
Kay’s attorney has alleged that Harvey may have been the one to provide Skaggs with the drugs that could have led to his death.
Harvey said Tuesday that he shared pink Percocet pills with Skaggs in June 2019, according to The Athletic’s Sam Blum. Harvey also said he spoke with Kay the day before Skaggs died about a blue oxycodone pill that he asked to be put in his locker. Harvey said he didn’t take the pill and threw it away after he found out Skaggs was dead, per Blum’s report.
Harvey said he spoke with Eric Kay on June 30, 2019, about getting a blue oxycodone pill. Harvey said he asked Kay to put in his locker.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) February 15, 2022
He said he chose not to take the pill.
He woke up the next day to find out Skaggs was dead.
He then threw the blue pill away.
Several other former Angels players also testified Tuesday. C.J. Cron, Michael Morin and Cam Bedrosian all said that Kay had provided them with painkillers.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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