Just hours before the start of the 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, social media has exploded with a statement issued by the current MLB champions. This is the absence of Alex Vesia, a star reliever and key piece in the bullpen of Dave Roberts’ team.
The Dodgers’ statement did not reveal the reason for his absence and limited it to a “very personal family matter,” expressing their support and solidarity with the left-handed pitcher:
How does Alex Vesia’s absence impact the Dodgers’ bullpen for the 2025 World Series?
The loss of the left-handed reliever represents a significant challenge for the Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts, especially considering the importance Vesia carried during the 2025 season and the postseason. The reliever has a 3.02 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in the regular season, plus 3.86 and 1.29 respectively in the postseason, being decisive against hitters of his profile and in closing out games.
This absence also alters the team’s previous bullpen strategy. Roberts acknowledged that the team will have to adjust its plans for the World Series:
This could have direct implications for other pitchers with heavier workloads, as they also rely heavily on the performances of their starters. They have already shown they can shut down opposing offenses with long outings, as Blake Snell has done with eight innings, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s complete game, Tyler Glasnow’s 5.1 innings, and Shohei Ohtani’s six complete innings. This is when the pitching becomes more important.
What options are the Dodgers considering to replace Vesia in the World Series?
The team is already analyzing different scenarios to replace Alex Vesia on the 26-man roster, and one of them would be to place the reliever on the MLB Family Medicine Emergency List, which would allow the left-hander to miss at least three days and be able to return later if his family matter improves.
Meanwhile, the initial plan is for the remaining experienced and middle relievers to assume more responsibilities. Roberts indicated that the organization is “going through the process of trying to fill his roster spot.”
Once again, baseball is testing Dave Roberts, a seasoned Major League manager who has repeatedly demonstrated the wisdom to handle these types of unexpected situations. With the playball close to being called in the 2025 World Series, the Dodgers face a new challenge in their fight for their second consecutive title.
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