Former Angels pitcher Matt Harvey suspended for 60 games because of drug distribution

Matt Harvey, who admitted in the Eric Kay trial earlier this year that he distributed the prescription pain killer Percocet while he was pitching for the Angels in 2019, has been suspended for 60 games by Major League Baseball.

Harvey was suspended “for participating in the distribution of a prohibited Drug of Abuse,” according to a release.

Harvey signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles last month. His suspension is retroactive to April 29.

Harvey, 33, signed a free agent deal with the Angels prior to the 2019 season. He posted a 7.09 ERA in 12 games and was released. Harvey was with the team during the season that Tyler Skaggs died with fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid, in his system.

Kay, a former Angels media relations staffer, was convicted in Federal court in February of supplying Skaggs with the drugs that led to his death. During that trial, Harvey testified that he had also provided Skaggs with Percocet. Harvey was granted immunity from criminal prosecution in exchange for his testimony.

Several other Angels players also testified, but they only testified to using opioids, not distributing them. None of the players who testified are currently with the Angels.

Those players are now subject to more stringent testing by MLB, but no discipline.