Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Alex Vesia is back with the Los Angeles Dodgers this spring after he and his wife, Kayla, suffered the heartbreaking loss of their newborn daughter last October.
Vesia left the team prior to the 2025 World Series, but remained in the thoughts of everyone involved as players from both the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays wore the No. 51 on their hats in support of the 29-year-old.
Vesia issued a statement at the start of Spring Training and made his first pitching appearance since the tragedy in the Dodgers’ 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday. He retired all three batters faced in the fifth inning.
“Yeah, a little bit,” Vesia answered when asked if he felt any nerves being back on a mound. “Honestly, I was more nervous in my first live ABs because Sho was like, ‘Hey, I want a little piece of that.’ I was like, ‘Okay, let’s go, come on.’ So that was fun.
“Yeah. It was good. That was a good first time, man, we’ve been waiting for that one.”
Vesia appreciated getting high-fives from his Dodgers teammates and coaches in the dugout after his scoreless appearance.
“Yeah, I mean, I think I said it in my statement, being around the guys, it’s really been comforting,” Vesia said. “We’ve had multiple conversations, and guys are asking me questions and just trying to feel for me, and that’s honestly been a blessing.
“I do like talking about it with the guys and whatnot, and I don’t want them to feel like they can’t, because to share those important moments and whatnot. These guys are my brothers, man, I truly do love all of them. So yeah, it’s meant a lot.”
Alex Vesia appreciates support from Dodgers fans
In another cool moment, Vesia received a standing ovation from Dodgers fans sitting behind the dugout as he walked off the field.
“I mean, it’s been hard, actually,” Vesia said of the support he has gotten from Dodgers fans. “I guess it’s hard in a good way, because I want to interact with all the fans and stuff like that, but I know that I have a job to do.
“So even on the backfields the first day, we walk out the doors and cheers and lots of love. So yeah, it means a lot to not only myself, but for Kay too.”
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