Dodgers' Alex Vesia Steps Away Ahead of World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on social media that left-handed reliever Alex Vesia is away from the team as he and his wife, Kayla, navigate a “deeply personal family matter,” on the eve of Game 1 of the World Series in Toronto. The club expressed support and asked for privacy, and manager Dave Roberts said the team is handling roster questions day-to-day with no firm expectation about Vesia’s availability. Vesia, 29, has been a Dodger since 2021 and has been an important late-inning left-hander in the postseason, with a postseason ERA around 3.86, making his absence a strain on the bullpen. It remains unclear whether he will be included on the official World Series roster; MLB’s family medical emergency list (which can run roughly three to seven days) has been cited as a possible option to permit a mid-series return. The Dodgers are weighing replacement options — names mentioned include Tanner Scott and rookie Jack Dreyer — but have not tied the absence to a pregnancy and have provided no further details.