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Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia admitted he was almost in tears after retiring three New York Mets batters in a row to close out a 2-1 victory at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night.
It’s not usually Vesia’s job to close out games, but with Edwin Diaz suffering arm fatigue, manager Dave Roberts called on him to face Jorge Polanco, Bo Bichette and Francisco Alvarez while clinging to a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning. But he was up for the challenge.
It was also a healthcare appreciation night at Dodger Stadium, and some of the honorees in the crowd that night were by Vesia’s side during a horrible time for the veteran left-hander.
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Alex Vesia and Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a 2-1 victory against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on April 14, 2026. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Vesia and his wife lost their baby girl last October, just five days after her birth. Before the 2025 World Series, Vesia left the team, citing a “deeply personal matter”, and he never participated in the exciting Fall Classic that followed with the Toronto Blue Jays.
On Tuesday evening, some of the health workers who cared for Vesia and his family during these difficult times were in the stands to support him. And they went crazy as his performance turned out good.
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The cameras panned to the group of health care workers who were there for Vesia, and they stood up, jumping and cheering every time he got a takedown. When Alvarez was called for a check-swing strike three to end the match, Vesia reacted with elation as he celebrated the victory.
In a postgame interview, he showed the aftermath where healthcare workers cheered him on and talked about their impact.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia shows the stands after closing out the ninth inning of a game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 14, 2026. (Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
“I’m going to cry, man. It’s a very emotional day. Everyone up there played a very, very, very big role. [My wife] Kay and I are so happy to be able to share today. For me, to make a save is incredible.”
The Dodgers and Blue Jays both paid tribute to Vesia on the field during the World Series, showing their support for his situation. Days after the World Series, Vesia announced the death of his daughter, where he thanked the Dodgers, fans and Blue Jays for their support during this difficult time.
Vesia was back with the Dodgers to start the 2026 season, and his first outing ended with a standing ovation from the Dodger Stadium crowd after coming out of a seventh-inning jam against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia celebrates after the final out of the MLB game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 14, 2026. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
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And like her first outing, Vesia wore a personalized pink Marucci glove on her right hand on Tuesday evening with her daughter’s name sewn on it. It also had his date of birth and a “K” for his wife on the ring finger of the glove.
Since the start of the season, Vesia hasn’t given up a run for the Dodgers, striking out nine batters and also collecting a save before Tuesday night.
