Dodgers' Vesia away for personal reasons, 'most likely' out for WS

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia was left off the team's World Series roster due to a personal matter.

"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 Thursday. "The entire Dodgers organization is sending our thoughts to the Vesia family, and we will provide an update at a later date."

Prior to Friday's Game 1, manager Dave Roberts said that Vesia "most likely" won't pitch in the series, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. The Dodgers also didn't place the 29-year-old on the bereavement or family medical emergency list.

Vesia posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over seven postseason appearances. He hasn't allowed a run since Game 1 of the wild-card series while emerging as a key late-inning weapon as part of a bridge to closer Roki Sasaki.

The Dodgers included four left-handed relievers - Jack Dreyer, Anthony Banda, Justin Wrobleski, and Clayton Kershaw - on their World Series roster. Dreyer, who enjoyed a solid rookie season out of the bullpen but has made just two postseason appearances, could see an increased role in the late innings against the Toronto Blue Jays' left-handed bats.

Former All-Star left-hander Tanner Scott was left off the World Series roster for medical reasons, Roberts said, per The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. Scott was removed from the Dodgers' NLDS roster mid-series after undergoing emergency surgery.