Vesia (3-2) allowed an inherited runner to score but didn't give up a hit or a walk while striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings, taking a blown save and earning the win over the Padres on Sunday.
A Jose Iglesias groundout generated the game-tying run, charged to Alexis Diaz, after Vesia entered the game in the eighth inning. The Dodgers retook the lead in their half of the inning, and Vesia remained in the game for a clean ninth to collect the win. He's blown a save in three of his last five appearances, allowing five runs (four earned) with a 4:5 K:BB in that span. Vesia's shaky pitching has likely cost him a larger share of closing duties, though the Dodgers continue to take a committee approach while Tanner Scott (elbow), Kirby Yates (back) and Michael Kopech (knee) work their way back to health. Vesia has collected four saves, four blown saves and 21 holds this season while posting a 2.81 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 67:18 K:BB over 51.1 innings.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Takes blown save
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Vesia allowed one run on one hit and three walks over two-thirds of an inning, taking a blown save in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Angels.
Vesia has hit the skids at the worst possible time with both Tanner Scott (elbow) and Kirby Yates (back) on the injured list. Over his last three outings, Vesia has allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks, taking two blown saves and two losses in that span. Prior to the slump, he had given up just one run over his previous 15 innings. Vesia hasn't converted a save since July 29 in Cincinnati and is ceding some closing duties to Blake Treinen and Ben Casparius, who are also struggling. Overall, Vesia still looks like the Dodgers' best healthy reliever, though he's now at a 2.76 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 66:17 K:BB through 49 innings while adding four saves and 20 holds.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Locks down fourth save
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Vesia earned the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Reds, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.
Tasked with protecting a one-run lead, Vesia delivered a clean ninth inning, fanning two batters and allowing no baserunners to secure his fourth save of the season, and his first since July 11. The left-hander has been nearly untouchable of late, giving up just one earned run across his last 15 appearances. Vesia now holds a 2.42 ERA, .90 WHIP and 62:13 K:BB through 44.2 innings this season and remains one of the Dodgers' top high-leverage bullpen arms.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Picks up 17th hold
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Vesia notched a hold against the Giants on Saturday by retiring both batters he faced in the eighth inning.
Vesia entered the contest in a huge spot, inheriting a bases-loaded, one-out situation with the Dodgers holding a 2-0 lead. The lefty was able to keep Los Angeles ahead, allowing a Rafael Devers sacrifice fly before getting Matt Chapman to ground into a fielder's choice. Vesia has been outstanding across the past six weeks, posting a 1.23 ERA, 0.48 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB over 14.2 frames while recording six holds and two saves across 18 appearances. He's been one of Los Angeles' top high-leverage arms throughout the campaign, and his 17 holds have already a established a new career high.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Picks up third save
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Vesia earned the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Padres, striking out three in a perfect ninth inning.
After Tanner Scott faced the middle of San Diego's lineup in the eighth inning, the Dodgers turned to Vesia with a three-run lead in the ninth. The left-hander breezed through the bottom of the Padres lineup, striking out the side to lock down his third save. The 29-year-old Vesia boasts a 2.79 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP and 41:9 K:BB across 29 innings in a high-leverage role this season.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Secures second save
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Vesia allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 8-5 win over the Yankees.
Vesia got the save chance after Tanner Scott defused a two-on, two-out situation in the eighth inning. Both pitchers struggled in their last outings Wednesday versus the Guardians, and it's at least intriguing that Vesia was called upon to handle the top of the Yankees' order, which he did successfully after pitching around Trent Grisham's leadoff single. Vesia has allowed four runs in May, all via home runs, over 10.1 innings. He's at two saves, 10 holds, a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 35:9 K:BB through 25 innings. With Scott blowing three saves over his last five appearances, Vesia looks to be the early candidate to take over the ninth inning should manager Dave Roberts officially make a change at closer. Even if that happens, it could lead to a committee scenario, especially once Kirby Yates (hamstring) and Michael Kopech (shoulder) are ready to return.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Nabs fifth hold
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Vesia earned a hold against Colorado on Tuesday, walking one batter in a scoreless inning.
Vesia entered in the eighth inning and walked Ryan McMahon on seven pitches to begin his outing, but he needed only four more pitches to get out of the frame, as he induced a groundball double play and a flyout to the next two batters. The lefty reliever has been a key high-leverage part of Los Angeles' bullpen, racking up five holds and one save over 10 appearances. Vesia has posted a 14:6 K:BB along with a 2.70 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 10 innings this season.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Finishes off sweep
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Vesia struck out one and allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Cubs in Tokyo.
Tanner Scott secured the save in Tuesday's season opener, and it was Vesia that received the call Wednesday after Kirby Yates worked the eighth inning. Vesia was one of the best relievers in baseball last season with a 1.76 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 67 appearances while recording five saves and 14 holds, but he's unlikely to be a consistent source of saves in 2025 given the offseason additions of Scott and Yates.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Avoids arbitration
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The Dodgers and Vesia avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.25 million contract Wednesday that includes a $3.55 million club option for 2026, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Vesia had filed at $2.35 million and the Dodgers at $2.05 million earlier this month, but the two sides will avoid a hearing. The lefty reliever had a stellar 2024 campaign, collecting a 1.76 ERA and 87:33 K:BB over 66.1 regular-season frames. The Dodgers' bullpen is loaded, but Vesia should see high-leverage opportunities again in 2025.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Feeling good following session
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Vesia (ribs) threw 15 pitches against live hitters in a simulated situation Wednesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Vesia is recovering from a rib cage injury, but he said he was feeling good Thursday morning. The reliever noted that his fastball may have been down a bit, but added that he will be ready to go Friday for Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees. The left-hander was left off the roster for the NLCS due to the injury but could return for the Fall Classic.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Facing hitters
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Vesia (ribs) will throw against hitters Tuesday or Wednesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Vesia has been dealing with a rib cage injury since his early departure from Game 5 of the NLDS, but he appears to be trending in the right direction. How he feels following his upcoming throwing session will likely determine whether he is included on the Dodgers' roster for the World Series -- a decision that is expected to be made as late as possible.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Not on NLCS roster
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Vesia (ribs) isn't included on Los Angeles' NLCS roster, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Vesia exited Game 5 of the NLDS against the Padres due to a rib cage injury, and the issue is going to prevent him from playing during the National League Championship Series. His absence could be significant for the Dodgers, as Vesia was the team's top left-handed bullpen option during the campaign, posting a 1.76 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 87:33 K:BB over 66.1 innings while tallying five saves and 14 holds. Righty reliever Brent Honeywell (finger) is replacing Vesia on the roster for the NLCS, per Toribio. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Vesia could return if the team advances to the World Series.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Not likely for NLCS
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Vesia (ribs) is unlikely to be available for the NLCS against the Mets, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Vesia left Game 5 of the NLDS with an injury that has since been clarified as a rib cage issue. Manager Dave Roberts added that he hopes to have Vesia back if the Dodgers advance to the World Series, but for now, the team will be without one of its best left-handed relievers.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Battling back injury
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President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Friday that Vesia left Game 5 of the NLDS versus San Diego due to a back injury, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Vesia recorded the final out of the seventh inning Friday but was taken out by a trainer after his back flared up on him while warming up for the eighth frame. The southpaw is slated to undergo further evaluation over the weekend, which will provide the team with a better idea of his availability for the NLCS against the Mets.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Exits with trainer
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Vesia was removed from Game 5 of the NLDS against the Padres on Friday due to an apparent injury, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Vesia entered the game to get the final out of the seventh inning and was in line to handle the eighth, but he seemingly injured himself while warming up. The details of his injury and his status for a potential NLCS berth remain unknown.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Picks up win in relief
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Vesia (2-3) earned the win over Oakland on Sunday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work.
Vesia entered in the seventh inning and struck out two of the three batters he faced, tossing a total of 15 pitches. The impressive frame earned him credit for the win in a contest during which starter River Ryan completed 4.2 innings. Vesia notched five saves between May 6 and July 6, but he hasn't been used in a save situation since. He remains one of the Dodgers' top high-leverage options though, and he's recorded nine holds along with the five saves while posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 65:22 K:BB over 48 innings on the season.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Notches save Monday
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Vesia struck out one batter in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save against the White Sox on Monday.
In a somewhat surprising move, the Dodgers deployed primary closer Evan Phillips to face the heart of Chicago's order in the eighth inning. That left closing duties to Vesia, who needed just 10 pitches to slam the door on the White Sox and earn his fourth save. Monday's usage suggests that manager Dave Roberts isn't opposed to having Phillips handle the highest-leverage situations even when they come before the ninth frame, and Vesia may be the likeliest option to close in such instances. Nonetheless, Phillips is still likely to get the vast majority of save opportunities, so fantasy managers shouldn't bank on many more saves from Vesia moving forward.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Secures third save
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Vesia allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Royals.
Most of the Dodgers' bullpen had pitched twice over the last three days, including regular closer Evan Phillips. The two freshest relievers were Vesia and Daniel Hudson, who earned the win after pitching the eighth inning. Vesia is on an 8.2-inning scoreless streak with a 13:1 K:BB, two saves and two holds in that span. He continues to impress this season with a 1.13 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 42:15 K:BB over 32 innings. He's up to three saves and four holds, so while he hasn't often been rewarded for his strong pitching, he's still capable of handling high-leverage assignments.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Gets save chance in Phillips' stead
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Vesia earned a save against the Marlins on Monday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.
When Evan Phillips (hamstring) was placed on the injured list Sunday, there arose uncertainty about whom Dodgers manager Dave Roberts would turn to when the next save chance came up. The answer turned out to be Vesia, who has been arguably the team's best reliever (outside of Phillips) this season with a 1.56 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB over 17.1 innings. The southpaw handled the opportunity well, retiring the side in order on 13 pitches, nine of which were strikes. It's worth noting that the Marlins were due to send up two left-handed hitters among the first three batters in the frame (though both lefties were swapped for a righty pinch hitter), so that may have played into the Roberts' decision to call upon Vesia rather than a righty reliever. It's too early to assume that Vesia will be the primary closer while Phillips remains out, but he certainly appears to be in the mix for save chances along with Daniel Hudson and possibly Blake Treinen.
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Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Falls short in extra inning
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Vesia (0-5) took the loss against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and one walk over 1.1 relief innings.
Vesia entered with two outs in the ninth to face Matt Olson, retiring the lefty hitter on a fly out. When the game went into an extra frame, Vesia remained in the contest and initially looked like he would hold Atlanta at bay, retiring the first two batters he faced in the 10th. However, the southpaw issued a two-out walk to Sean Murphy, then served up a long three-run homer to Orlando Arcia, creating a deficit the Dodgers couldn't come back from. It was the second time since the All-Star break Vesia has allowed multiple runs in an outing, but he's been pretty effective overall during that period, posting a 3.38 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB over 18.2 innings while notching four holds.
