Dave Roberts Says Alex Vesia Likely Out For World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers just dropped their World Series roster. One of their most reliable bullpen arms, Alex Vesia, won’t be pitching at all.

Manager Dave Roberts said Vesia’s out due to a “deeply personal family matter.” He’s not expected to appear in the series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Tanner Scott, another lefty reliever, also didn’t make the cut. That’s a tough blow for the Dodgers as they brace for one of October’s most dangerous offenses.

The Impact of Alex Vesia’s Absence

Alex Vesia has anchored the Dodgers’ bullpen for five seasons. He’s been that guy they trust in big moments, no question.

Since 2021, Vesia’s put up a wild 2.68 ERA and 3.16 SIERA over 270 innings. Only Emmanuel Clase and Raisel Iglesias have kept up with that kind of workload and consistency.

Why Vesia Won’t Return This Series

Roberts made it clear—leaving Vesia off the roster means he can only come back if someone gets hurt. Andrew Friedman, the team’s president, said they didn’t use the family emergency list so Vesia wouldn’t feel rushed to return.

Honestly, it says a lot about how the Dodgers treat their players. They’re putting his well-being first, even at this stage.

The timing stings. Vesia fought back from an oblique strain earlier this year and was lights out in the playoffs. He tossed 4⅓ scoreless innings in recent postseason games, bouncing back after one rough outing.

Facing Toronto Without a Key Weapon

Without Vesia, the Dodgers lose a big weapon against left-handed hitters. Sure, the Blue Jays are stacked with right-handed power, but those lefties in their lineup? Vesia would’ve been the answer there.

Now, the bullpen’s got to pick up the slack. That probably means more pressure on right-handers or less seasoned arms in crucial spots.

Tanner Scott’s Unfortunate Timing

And as if losing Vesia wasn’t enough, Tanner Scott is out too. Roberts said Scott’s “stuff wasn’t quite there” after a minor lower-body procedure.

Scott just started a four-year, $72 million contract. His numbers looked rough, but some advanced stats hint he just had some bad luck rather than a real drop-off.

With both Scott and Vesia missing, the Dodgers lose their two best lefty relievers. In playoff baseball, where every matchup matters, that’s a pretty big problem.

The Statistical Hole Left Behind

Let’s talk numbers for a second. Losing Vesia hurts. Here’s why:

• 270 innings since 2021 with a 2.68 ERA.
• Only two other relievers matched that volume with a better ERA.
• Four scoreless postseason innings this year after coming back from injury.

Scott, even with his struggles, gave the Dodgers another left-handed option for tough matchups.

Dodgers’ Bullpen Strategy Moving Forward

So, what now? The Dodgers will have to improvise. Maybe they lean on righties who can handle both sides of the plate, or maybe a few less experienced guys step up.

Managing Against October’s Pressure Cooker

The World Series isn’t forgiving. Bullpen depth often separates champions from contenders.

Roberts and his staff need to get creative. They might have to pull starters earlier, letting bullpen matchups shape the late innings.

Facing a lineup that can change everything with one swing, every move matters more than ever.

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Here is the source article for this story: Roberts: Alex Vesia “Most Likely” Won’t Pitch In World Series