“It’s with a heavy heart that we share that Alex Vesia is away from the team as he and his wife Kayla navigate a deeply personal family matter,” the Dodgers said in a statement via social media on Thursday. “The entire Dodgers organization is sending our thoughts to the Vesia family, and we will provide an update at a later date.”
It is unclear if Vesia will be included on the Dodgers World Series roster. Teams must confirm their rosters for the Fall Classic by 10 a.m. ET on Friday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said during his World Series media day press conference that they are “going day to day with no expectations,” regarding Vesia.
The left-hander has been one of L.A.’s top leverage arms over the last two seasons. Vesia posted a 3.02 ERA with 80 strikeouts, 22 walks and five saves over 59.2 innings during the regular season. He has a 3.86 ERA with four strikeouts and three walks over 4.2 post-season innings.
The 29-year-old took on the Dodgers closer role at times throughout the season, often as part of a committee with Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen and Kirby Yates.
Vesia’s absence will leave a significant void to fill in the Dodgers bullpen, as his seven post-season relief appearances is tied with Roki Sasaki and Treinen for most on the team.
Vesia was one of five lefties in the Dodgers bullpen during the NLCS, the others being Jack Dreyer, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Wrobleski and former Blue Jay Anthony Banda.