In a blow to the Los Angeles Dodgers' already battered bullpen, left-handed reliever Alex Vesia landed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right oblique strain. The injury, which surfaced after he felt tightness while playing catch in San Diego over the weekend, comes at the worst possible time as the team eyes a deep playoff run. Vesia, a staple in manager Dave Roberts' late-inning plans, had been a workhorse this season, appearing in 62 games and logging 56.1 innings with a solid 1.76 ERA before the setback.
Indeed, Vesia's absence exacerbates the Dodgers' pitching woes. The team has already navigated injuries to stars like Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and now this. Roberts didn't mince words, calling it an intercostal issue on the side and deeming it highly unlikely Vesia suits up for the NLCS if they advance. Still, the Dodgers recalled prospects and shuffled the roster, but replacing Vesia's lefty firepower won't be straightforward. His 66 strikeouts this year underscored his value, especially against right-handed bats in high-leverage spots.
Moreover, Vesia's journey to this point adds some grit to the story. Drafted by the Marlins in 2018 out of Cal State East Bay, he debuted in 2020 and traded to the Dodgers in 2021. By 2023, he'd locked down a key role, helping secure the World Series title with his slider-heavy arsenal. But injuries have dogged him—remember the shoulder inflammation last year?—and this oblique tweak feels like another frustrating hurdle. At 29, he's in his prime, yet the Dodgers' medical staff now faces pressure to accelerate recovery without risking long-term damage.
However, the timing stings most. With the regular season winding down and the postseason looming, Los Angeles must rally its remaining arms. Vesia's retroactive placement to August 23 means he's eligible soon, but experts doubt a quick turnaround. And as the Dodgers chase another championship, one can't help but wonder if this latest twist will define their bullpen's resilience or expose deeper vulnerabilities in the stretch run.