On a crisp October morning that smelled faintly of coffee, maple, and anticipation, Major League Baseball released the official rosters for the 2025 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers — and with it came storylines layered in both hope and heartache.
For Toronto, the headline couldn’t shine brighter. Bo Bichette, their All-Star shortstop and emotional heartbeat, is back. After missing the first two rounds of the postseason with a lingering hamstring injury, Bichette’s return gives the Blue Jays lineup a jolt of swagger and stability. His presence at shortstop restores the left side of Toronto’s infield — and perhaps their belief — just in time for the biggest stage of their season.
But for Los Angeles, Friday morning’s announcement carried a somber tone. The Dodgers will enter the World Series without two of their most trusted bullpen arms — a reminder that baseball, for all its precision, is still shaped by the unpredictability of life.
The club confirmed that Alex Vesia, their highest-leverage left-handed reliever, was left off the roster as he and his wife Kayla navigate what the team described as “a deeply personal family matter.” The Dodgers released a statement Thursday evening expressing support for the Vesia family, saying the organization’s thoughts are with them during this time.
Vesia, 29, was one of Los Angeles’ most reliable bullpen pieces this year — posting a 3.02 ERA with 80 strikeouts in nearly 60 innings. He had been steady throughout October, allowing a run in just one of his seven playoff appearances. His absence leaves a significant void in the Dodgers’ late-inning mix — a bullpen that already leans heavily on matchups and margins.
Adding to that void is the omission of Tanner Scott, the former All-Star and Dodgers’ closer, whose season was as volatile as it was vital. Scott, who led the majors with 11 blown saves, underwent a lower-body abscess removal procedure during the NLDS against Philadelphia. Though he was eligible to return for the World Series, the team ultimately decided to keep him off the active roster — a decision made with an eye toward health, not headlines.
In their place, the Dodgers turned to a pair of right-handers — Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein — the latter of which has yet to pitch in this postseason. They bring power arms, but not playoff pedigree. It’s a gamble for manager Dave Roberts, who will have to navigate high-pressure innings without two of his most battle-tested relievers.
For now, the Dodgers’ focus shifts from who’s missing to who’s here — from uncertainty to opportunity. And on the other side, Toronto celebrates the return of its golden-haired shortstop, whose reappearance might just tilt the emotional balance north of the border.
Game 1 of the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays begins Friday night at 8 p.m. ET from Rogers Centre.