Pitcher Alex Vesia (3.02 ERA in the regular season) is a vital part of the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen as they get ready for a second straight World Series, this time against the Toronto Blue Jays.
But he'll miss at least the first two games of the Fall Classic. Why is that?
As the Dodgers wrote in a statement released on Thursday: "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."
There was no word on what that personal matter was. Vesia and his wife, Kayla, were expecting their first child.
More from USA TODAY Sports:
The Dodgers now have the option, according to an MLB official, of placing Vesia on the “family medical emergency list." If Vesia is placed on leave, he would be required to stay for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why Alex Vesia is away from the Dodgers ahead of World Series
Reporting by Charles Curtis, For The Win / For The Win
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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