The Dodgers optioned Vesia to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Los Angeles selected Gavin Stone's contract from Triple-A in a corresponding move, with the young right-hander replacing the lefty reliever on the 26-man active roster. Vesia has posted consecutive scoreless appearances but has struggled considerably this season with a 7.84 ERA and 2.81 WHIP in 10.1 innings. The southpaw will surely get another opportunity with the Dodgers this season, but he'll need to perform significantly better to pitch in high-leverage spots like he did in 2022.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Having rough start to season
Rotowire
Through four appearances this season, Vesia has given up four earned runs on eight hits over three innings.
Vesia was one of the Dodgers' best relievers in both 2021 and 2022, posting a collective 2.19 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 133:46 K:BB over 94.1 innings. It's been a different story for the southpaw so far in 2023, as he's given up at least one run in three of his four appearances and has yet to get through an outing without giving up at least one hit. Vesia was thought to be a contender for save chances in Los Angeles' closer committee when the season opened, but he's unlikely to see any such chances until he gets things straightened out.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Has up-and-down spring
Rotowire
Vesia pitched in eight games for the Dodgers during Cactus League play, allowing five runs over six innings. He posted a 10:3 K:BB.
Vesia racked up plenty of strikeouts this spring, but his ERA took a hit as a result of him serving up two homers. The lefty didn't have that problem last season, as he gave up only two long balls across 54.1 frames. Vesia was a major weapon for the Dodgers in 2022 with a 2.15 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 79:24 K:BB while recording 16 holds and two saves. He could see high-leverage work again this season and may even get a few save chances given the team's decision to go with a closer committee, at least in the early part of the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Continues dominance with 16th hold
Rotowire
Vesia earned a hold over San Diego on Thursday by retiring both batters he faced, including one by strikeout.
After Chris Martin allowed two of the three batters he faced to reach base in the eighth inning, Vesia entered and got two outs to preserve Los Angeles' 5-2 lead. The scoreless outing was Vesia's 25th over his past 26 appearances. Over that stretch, he's posted a 38:9 K:BB while allowing just one run over 24 innings.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Records hold Sunday
Rotowire
Vesia earned a hold against the Padres on Sunday with a perfect inning of work that included two strikeouts.
The contest became a rout late, but when Vesia entered in the sixth inning the Dodgers were ahead by only two runs. The southpaw kept things that way, throwing 13 of 15 pitches for strikes and notching a pair of punchouts. Vesia has been very impressive in his second campaign with Los Angeles, registering a 2.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 67:21 K:BB over 46.2 innings. He's notched 15 holds, one save and four wins.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Secures 14th hold
Rotowire
Vesia picked up a hold against the Mets on Tuesday as a result of pitching a scoreless inning. He struck out one batter and issued one walk.
After Los Angeles took the lead in the top of the seventh, Vesia was asked to keep the Mets at bay in the bottom of the frame. He was a bit wild, throwing only eight of 17 pitches for strikes, but worked around a two-out walk to protect the lead. Vesia hasn't allowed a run since July 21. Since that time, he's racked up two wins and six holds while posting a 22:4 K:BB over 14 innings spanning 16 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Credited with win Friday
Rotowire
Vesia (2-0) earned the win against San Francisco on Friday by retiring the only batter he faced.
With the game tied 1-1 in the eighth inning, Vesia was summoned with two outs and two runners on base to face David Villar. Vesia got Villar to ground out, and the lefty reliever earned the win as a result of Los Angeles scoring four times in the bottom of the frame. It was a nice bounce-back effort from Vesia after he allowed two runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Giants on Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Picks up second career save
Rotowire
Vesia earned a save against the Cubs on Thursday by striking out the only batter he faced.
Los Angeles turned to Craig Kimbrel with a three-run lead heading into the ninth inning, but the closer stumbled and allowed the winning run to come to the plate. Vesia was then called upon to put out the fire, and he struck out Nelson Velazquez on six pitches to finish off the victory. The save was Vesia's first of the campaign and second of his career. He's not a threat to usurp Kimbrel for closing duties, but the left-hander is putting together a solid season with a 3.12 ERA and seven holds along with 34 strikeouts over 26 innings.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Notches first win Wednesday
Rotowire
Vesia (1-0) earned the win over the Reds on Wednesday, working a scoreless inning during which he allowed one hit and struck out two batters.
Starter Tyler Anderson went five innings for Los Angeles, and Vesia came on to replace him with the score tied in the sixth. The lefty reliever allowed a one-out single but nothing else, and he was credited with the win as a result of the Dodgers pulling ahead in the next frame. Vesia has recorded a 3.32 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 29:9 K:BB across 21.2 innings this season and has been working primarily in low- and medium-leverage situations of late.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Picks up sixth hold
Rotowire
Vesia earned a hold against Arizona on Saturday, allowing one walk and striking out two batters in one scoreless inning.
The left-hander handled the eighth inning for Los Angeles and protected a one-run lead despite issuing a one-out walk. Vesia has seen his high-leverage opportunities increase over the course of the season, and he has secured a hold in five of his past six outings. He's allowed only one run during that span and has held the opponent scoreless in 16 of his 18 appearances on the season.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Makes Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Vesia was one of 16 pitchers named to the Dodgers' Opening Day roster Thursday.
Vesia's inclusion on the roster was expected following a breakthrough campaign last season, during which he posted a 2.25 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 12.1 K/9. He eventually became the team's go-to left-handed reliever and finished with nine holds and one save. Vesia will likely work in a high-leverage role again as Los Angeles' top southpaw out of the bullpen in 2022.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Secures first big-league save
Rotowire
Vesia retired the only batter he faced Tuesday against the Rockies to earn his first major-league save.
In the top of the 10th inning, Los Angeles took a one-run lead on an RBI single by Albert Pujols. The Dodgers turned to Brusdar Graterol to open the bottom of the frame, then asked Vesia to record the final out with runners on the corners. The left-hander was successful in the opportunity, inducing a flyout to center field to end the contest. Vesia has been an excellent addition to the Dodgers bullpen, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, three wins, eight holds and a 49:19 K:BB across 36.2 innings. He has not allowed an earned run in his past eight appearances.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Notches win Tuesday
Rotowire
Vesia (3-1) earned the win over the Cardinals on Tuesday, retiring the only batter he faced via strikeout.
The Dodgers deployed nine different relievers as part of a planned bullpen game, with Vesia -- the only one among the group to not toss at least a full inning -- landing in the fortunate position to pick up the win. The left-hander couldn't have done much better in his brief opportunity, striking out Matt Carpenter on three pitches to end a two-on, two-out threat. Vesia has been outstanding over his past 25 appearances, posting a 1.09 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB across 24.2 frames.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Secures seventh hold
Rotowire
Vesia earned a hold against the Giants on Saturday by retiring the only batter he faced via strikeout.
The southpaw was called upon to face Mauricio Dubon with two outs and a runner on second base in the sixth inning. Vesia struck out Dubon swinging on five pitches to earn the hold. He has ascended to a higher-leverage role over the course of the campaign, notching a hold in four of his past eight appearances. Overall, Vesia has posted a 2.73 ERA, 0.88 ERA and 42:17 K:BB across 33 innings during his first extensive opportunity as a big-leaguer.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Earns first big-league win
Rotowire
Vesia (1-1) earned the win over Arizona on Saturday, pitching a scoreless inning during which he gave up one hit.
The southpaw came into the contest with scored tied 3-3 in the sixth inning. He gave up a one-out single but faced the minimum by subsequently inducing a double play. The Dodgers put up four runs in the top of the seventh, giving Vesia his first win as a major-leaguer. In 19 appearances with the big club this season, Vesia has registered a 3.48 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB across 20.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Recalled by Dodgers
Rotowire
Vesia was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.
The lefty has posted a 1.00 ERA in nine innings of relief with the Triple-A squad after being sent down June 3. Vesia's work with the Dodgers earlier this season was less impressive, as he yielded seven runs, including three home runs, in just 10.2 innings. He'll fill the roster spot of Jimmy Nelson (back), who was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Sent to minors
Rotowire
Vesia was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Vesia has thrown 10.2 innings of relief for the Dodgers this season but hasn't had much success. His 33.3 percent strikeout rate is strong but hasn't been nearly enough to offset his 22.9 percent walk rate and a shockingly low 10.0 percent groundball rate. The left-hander's 5.91 ERA could be much higher if not for a .059 BABIP.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Quick return to majors
Rotowire
Vesia was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
The 25-year-old was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, but it was a short absence with Garrett Cleavinger (forearm) landing on the injured list. Vesia has given up five runs (three earned) with a 7:5 K:BB through four innings this season.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
Vesia was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Vesia made three relief appearances during his stint in the majors and allowed five runs (three earned) on a hit and five walks while striking out seven in four innings. His removal from the major-league roster was part of a transaction to make room for Albert Pujols and Yoshi Tsutsugo.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Alex Vesia: Suffers loss in Dodgers debut
Rotowire
Vesia (0-1) took the loss against Milwaukee on Saturday, completing one inning and allowing four runs (two earned) on four walks while striking out two.
The left-hander was recalled from the team's alternate training site earlier in the day and was promptly put into a pressure situation, getting the call in the 10th inning with LA up by a run. Vesia walked the first two batters he faced before yielding a run on a sacrifice fly, but he was able to prevent further damage by striking out the final batter of the frame. After the Dodgers got two runs in the top of the 11th, Vesia returned for the bottom of the frame and again walked the first two batters before he was replaced. Overall, the 25-year-old threw only 14 of 34 pitches for strikes, which is certainly not a recipe for success.
