The news of the unexpected death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs on Monday hit hard in San Diego as it did in clubhouses throughout Major League Baseball.
Ian Kinsler teamed with Skaggs for about half a season last year in Anaheim. Kirby Yates got to know the 27-year-old right-hander while spending spring training with the Angels in 2017. Padres manager Andy Green and Doug Bochtler were both with him at different points during his developmental years with the Diamondbacks.
“It’s tough, man,” Yates said. “He was an awesome guy, an awesome dude and really nice. It’s one of those things you don’t ever expect when you’re a big league baseball player.