Dodgers Say Alex Vesia and Wife Kayla’s Family Matter Is ‘Bigger Than Baseball’

Amid their World Series run, the Los Angeles Dodgers front office is sharing more about the decision to leave pitcher Alex Vesia off the roster as he steps away from the team due to a personal matter.

In addition, Vesia, 29, was not placed on the Family Medical Emergency List, which would have allowed him to join the team after a minimum of three days, Dodgers officials said.

“We just didn’t want to have any potential for any kind of pressure,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said on Friday, Oct. 24, according to MLB.com. “This is so much bigger than baseball. For us, it was doing whatever small part we could to just 100% be supportive.”

On the eve of Game 1 of the series last week, the Dodgers announced that the reliever would not be making an appearance in the Fall Classic.

“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 Dodgers said in a statement posted to X on Thursday, Oct. 23. “The entire Dodgers organization is sending our thoughts to the Vesia family, and we will provide an update at a later date.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared more insight into the decision on Friday, as Vesia takes time away from the team.

“We have a lot of viable options [to replace him] and I don’t know what situation will present itself but I trust all the guys, I really do,” Roberts said. “And guys are gonna have to step up, but Alex is certainly gonna be missed.”

Vesia’s wife Kayla had been documenting her pregnancy on social media. In April, the couple announced that they were expecting a baby girl.

Vesia, in his fifth season with the Dodgers, pitched in 68 games this year, recording five saves and a 3.02 ERA.

The California native made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2020.