[Blum] After accident, Angels prospect fights for his old life, family hopes for help from team
January 14, 2026
[Blum] After accident, Angels prospect fights for his old life, family hopes for help from team
3 comments
> While teams and leagues are not required to cover medical expenses related to injuries that occur outside the scope of a player’s professional responsibilities, there is precedent for that type of assistance.
> In 2022, the Phillies covered insurance and numerous other costs after prospect Daniel Brito’s brain hemorrhage. The Red Sox covered medical costs for top prospect Ryan Westmoreland in 2010, after a malformation in his brain required multiple surgeries.
> Former minor league pitcher Matt LaChappa suffered a heart attack in 1996 while warming up for a game; he has difficulty walking and speaking. The Padres sign him to a minor league contract every year to keep him insured. Similarly, the Dodgers sign former outfielder Andrew Toles to an annual contract to keep him insured as he deals with mental health disorders.
> The most help that Cleveland has received from the Angels so far came from their players. All-Star pitcher Yusei Kikuchi donated $10,000 to Foster’s GoFundMe, and outfielder Jo Adell gave $5,000. Foster received a $1,000 donation from the Tyler Skaggs Foundation, an organization started by the late pitcher’s family, who recently settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels.
Good on Yusei and Jo, and shame, as always, on Arte.
If he was driving, and not a drunk passenger who chose not to wear a seat belt, would you want the Angels to pay for his medical?
3 comments
> While teams and leagues are not required to cover medical expenses related to injuries that occur outside the scope of a player’s professional responsibilities, there is precedent for that type of assistance.
> In 2022, the Phillies covered insurance and numerous other costs after prospect Daniel Brito’s brain hemorrhage. The Red Sox covered medical costs for top prospect Ryan Westmoreland in 2010, after a malformation in his brain required multiple surgeries.
> Former minor league pitcher Matt LaChappa suffered a heart attack in 1996 while warming up for a game; he has difficulty walking and speaking. The Padres sign him to a minor league contract every year to keep him insured. Similarly, the Dodgers sign former outfielder Andrew Toles to an annual contract to keep him insured as he deals with mental health disorders.
> The most help that Cleveland has received from the Angels so far came from their players. All-Star pitcher Yusei Kikuchi donated $10,000 to Foster’s GoFundMe, and outfielder Jo Adell gave $5,000. Foster received a $1,000 donation from the Tyler Skaggs Foundation, an organization started by the late pitcher’s family, who recently settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels.
Good on Yusei and Jo, and shame, as always, on Arte.
If he was driving, and not a drunk passenger who chose not to wear a seat belt, would you want the Angels to pay for his medical?
The angels under arte are a misnomer.