Alex Vesia in Doubt for the World Series: Personal Matter Keeps Dodgers on Edge
Pitcher Alex Vesia, one of the most reliable relievers for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is facing a personal situation that puts his participation in the World Series in doubt. Through a statement issued on Thursday, the Dodgers reported that Vesia “is away from the team due to a deeply personal family matter that he is going through with his wife Kayla”. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t offer further details, but indicated that the team is “in the process of seeking a replacement for his spot on the roster” ahead of the matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. The World Series rosters must be submitted before 10 a.m. ET on Friday, the day of Game 1 at the Rogers Centre. MLB also has a family medical emergency list that requires a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days of absence from the roster. If the Dodgers use this designation with Vesia, he could technically return as early as Game 3 at Dodger Stadium. Vesia has been one of the few bright spots in a bullpen that has struggled this season, with an ERA of 3.02 and a WHIP of 0.99, as well as 80 strikeouts and 22 walks in 59⅔ innings. Throughout the playoffs, Vesia, a 29-year-old lefty in his sixth season, has been Roberts’ most reliable option for the final innings, along with right-hander Blake Treinen and starter-turned-closer Roki Sasaki. Vesia’s absence could open an opportunity for Tanner Scott, the veteran lefty who struggled in the first season of his four-year, $72 million contract. Scott was removed from the roster in the middle of the National League Division Series after having to undergo an incision for an abscess in his lower body, which ruled him out for the subsequent National League Championship Series. However, Scott has resumed bullpen practices and said earlier this week that he feels “much better now”. Another lefty, Anthony Banda, has also resurfaced as a reliable option for late innings. However, most of the Blue Jays’ top hitters, such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Ernie Clement, and Alejandro Kirk, bat right-handed, making players like Sasaki, Treinen, and Emmet Sheehan even more important in this series. Roberts reported on Thursday that the Dodgers will include Clayton Kershaw on their World Series roster and added that “most likely” they will pitch Tyler Glasnow in Game 3 and Shohei Ohtani in Game 4 (after Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Games 1 and 2, respectively). However, Roberts remained vague about Vesia’s situation.Honestly, I think we’re going day by day without really any expectations.
Dave Roberts