Regarding Top Expert injury disregarded as Dodgers decisively terminate Padres’ season
The fan base of the Los Angeles Dodgers is excited, and rightfully so. The Dodgers face the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series with a trip to the World Series on the line, following their demolition of the highly regarded San Diego Padres lineup in Games 4 and 5 of the National League Division Series.
Pitchers like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado were shut down by LA, sending the Padres packing for San Diego. However, there was a setback to the Dodgers’ 2-0 victory in Game 5, one that might have a significant impact on LA’s bullpen going into the NLDS.
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Concerning Alex Vesia injury overlooked as LA Dodgers put emphatic end to Padres’ season
Alex Vesia got the final out during the top of the seventh inning during Game 5 of the NLDS. Evan Phillips had just struck out both Jurickson Profar and Machado and manager Dave Roberts handed the ball to Vesia to get the final out. The southpaw got Padres’ rookie Jackson Merrill to swing and miss for strike three, and the Dodgers retired the Friars’ lineup in order.
Alex Vesia said he felt cramping on his right side, which is why he called out the trainer. Said he didn’t want to risk trying to pitch through it in such a close/important game
Dave Roberts said they’ll send him for scans, and are hoping it’s nothing more serious
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) October 12, 2024
But unfortunately, Vesia exited the game in the top of the eighth inning with a trainer shortly after he was warming up. This obviously was unsettling at the time, not only because two of the next three Padres’ hitters were left-handed, but Vesia has been lights out for the Dodgers all year. The 28-year-old made 67 appearances out of the bullpen during the regular season and owned a sparkling 1.76 ERA with 87 punchouts.
Byt the Dodgers had no choice but to move on. They couldn’t harp in the moment. Roberts had to make a decision on his toes. Thankfully, reliever Michael Kopech was able to handle the San Diego lineup in the eighth inning and set the Padres down in order.
Vesia said he was cramping, and that was the reason for his premature exit. The team will send Vesia for scans, and the hope is that all systems are go for him to join Los Angeles’ NLCS roster when the Dodgers and Mets open up the series on Sunday.
