Dodgers' Alex Vesia Steps Away Amid Personal Family Matter Before World Series

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia is stepping away from the team due to a deeply personal family matter involving his wife Kayla, who is pregnant with their first child. The Dodgers announced Vesia's absence ahead of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, leaving uncertainty about his participation in the series. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is exploring roster options, including possibly placing Vesia on the family medical emergency list, which allows a 3 to 7-day leave, or replacing him with pitchers like Tanner Scott or Anthony Banda. Vesia has been a key reliever with a strong season performance, recording a 3.02 ERA and significant postseason appearances, making his absence a considerable challenge for the Dodgers' bullpen strategy. The team must finalize their World Series roster by 10 a.m. local time on the day of the first game and are adjusting accordingly while hoping for Vesia’s potential return. Roberts has also confirmed the inclusion of other pitchers such as Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani for the series.