Dodgers Players Honor Vesia Amid Personal Matter During World Series

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Dodgers players showed support for teammate Alex Vesia on Monday, Oct. 27, during World Series Game 3. Many players wore caps with the number 51, Vesia’s jersey number, as he took time away from the game due to a personal matter.

In a match held at Dodger Stadium, several Dodgers, including pitcher Justin Wrobleski, donned the tribute in solidarity for the 29-year-old left-handed pitcher. “I’m new to the bullpen. But Ves, he means a lot to all of us,” said Clayton Kershaw after the game. “He’s a huge part of the team, a huge part of the bullpen, so we wanted to do something to honor him.”

Despite Vesia’s absence, the Dodgers achieved a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays after 18 intense innings. It was previously announced just before Game 1 that Vesia would not be available to play in the Fall Classic.

The team had shared a statement on Thursday, Oct. 23, expressing their heartfelt support. “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 entire Dodgers organization is sending our thoughts to the Vesia family,” they stated, promising to provide an update later.

Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, explained the decision not to place Vesia on the Family Medical Emergency List. “We just didn’t want to have any potential for any kind of pressure,” he said. “This is so much bigger than baseball. For us, it was doing whatever small part we could to just 100% be supportive.”

Vesia made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2020 and is currently in his fifth season with the Dodgers. He has pitched in 68 games this year, achieving five saves and a 3.02 ERA. The California native is also expecting his first child, a girl, with his wife.