Yankees' King, Cubs' Robertson among relievers to watch so far in 2022
One month into the 2022 MLB season, Jordan Shusterman highlights six arms who are proving to be difference-makers for their teams.MAY 4, 2022
ALEX VESIA #51 - PITCHER - LOS ANGELES DODGERS
5-4 W-L •
1.00 WHIP •
1.76 ERA
5-4 W-L
1.00 WHIP
1.76 ERA
Credited with first hold Vesia retired two batters -- one by strikeout -- and did not allow any baserunners to earn a hold in Tuesday's victory against the Giants.
Impact Los Angeles carried a 2-0 lead into the seventh inning before Brusdar Graterol got into a jam that saw the Giants put the tying run on second base. Vesia was summoned to contain the threat, and he allowed a sacrifice fly before striking out Luke Williams to preserve the lead. This was the southpaw's first hold of the campaign, as he's primarily been used in lower-leverage spots thus far. Vesia has yet to allow a run through seven innings this season, and he has posted a superb 10:1 K:BB.
MAY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Makes Opening Day roster Vesia was one of 16 pitchers named to the Dodgers' Opening Day roster Thursday.
Impact Vesia's inclusion on the roster was expected following a breakthrough campaign last season during which he posted a 2.25 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 12.1 K/9. He eventually became the team's go-to left-handed reliever and finished with nine holds and one save. Vesia will likely work in a high-leverage role again as Los Angeles' top southpaw out of the bullpen in 2022.
APRIL 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Secures first big-league save Vesia retired the only batter he faced Tuesday against the Rockies to earn his first major-league save.
Impact In the top of the 10th inning, Los Angeles took a one-run lead on an RBI single by Albert Pujols. The Dodgers turned to Brusdar Graterol to open the bottom of the frame, then asked Vesia to record the final out with runners on the corners. The left-hander was successful in the opportunity, inducing a flyout to center field to end the contest. Vesia has been an excellent addition to the Dodgers bullpen, posting a 2.45 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, three wins, eight holds and a 49:19 K:BB across 36.2 innings. He has not allowed an earned run in his past eight appearances.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Notches win Tuesday Vesia (3-1) earned the win over the Cardinals on Tuesday, retiring the only batter he faced via strikeout.
Impact The Dodgers deployed nine different relievers as part of a planned bullpen game, with Vesia -- the only one among the group to not toss at least a full inning -- landing in the fortunate position to pick up the win. The left-hander couldn't have done much better in his brief opportunity, striking out Matt Carpenter on three pitches to end a two-on, two-out threat. Vesia has been outstanding over his past 25 appearances, posting a 1.09 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB across 24.2 frames.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Secures seventh hold Vesia earned a hold against the Giants on Saturday by retiring the only batter he faced via strikeout.
Impact The southpaw was called upon to face Mauricio Dubon with two outs and a runner on second base in the sixth inning. Vesia struck out Dubon swinging on five pitches to earn the hold. He has ascended to a higher-leverage role over the course of the campaign, notching a hold in four of his past eight appearances. Overall, Vesia has posted a 2.73 ERA, 0.88 ERA and 42:17 K:BB across 33 innings during his first extensive opportunity as a big-leaguer.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tom Krasovic: Dodgers getting bullpen lift from Alex Vesia Alex Vesia enjoyed being outside, growing up in Alpine, the East County town of some 15,000 residents tucked into the Cuyamaca Mountains.
AUGUST 24, 2021 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Tom Krasovic: Dodgers getting bullpen lift from Alex Vesia Alex Vesia enjoyed being outside, growing up in Alpine, the East County town of some 15,000 residents tucked into the Cuyamaca Mountains.
AUGUST 24, 2021 • SACBEE.COM
Alex Vesia provides much-needed relief from the left side for the Dodgers Left-handed reliever Alex Vesia has been dominant for the Dodgers since being recalled from triple-A Oklahoma City in early July.
AUGUST 13, 2021 • LATIMES.COM
Earns first big-league win Vesia (1-1) earned the win over Arizona on Saturday, pitching a scoreless inning during which he gave up one hit.
Impact The southpaw came into the contest with scored tied 3-3 in the sixth inning. He gave up a one-out single but faced the minimum by subsequently inducing a double play. The Dodgers put up four runs in the top of the seventh, giving Vesia his first win as a major-leaguer. In 19 appearances with the big club this season, Vesia has registered a 3.48 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB across 20.2 innings.
AUGUST 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Recalled by Dodgers The Dodgers recalled Vesia from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.
Impact The lefty has posted a 1.00 ERA in nine innings of relief with the Triple-A squad after being sent down June 3. Vesia's work with the Dodgers earlier this season was less impressive, as he yielded seven runs, including three home runs, in just 10.2 innings. He'll fill the roster spot of Jimmy Nelson (back), whom the Dodgers placed on the 10-day IL on Friday.
JULY 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sent to minors Vesia was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Impact Vesia has thrown 10.2 innings of relief for the Dodgers this season but hasn't had much success. His 33.3 percent strikeout rate is strong but hasn't been nearly enough to offset his 22.9 percent walk rate and a shockingly low 10.0 percent groundball rate. The left-hander's 5.91 ERA could be much higher if not for a .059 BABIP.
JUNE 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Quick return to majors Vesia was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Impact The 25-year-old was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, but it was a short absence with Garrett Cleavinger (forearm) landing on the injured list. Vesia has given up five runs (three earned) with a 7:5 K:BB through four innings this season.
MAY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sent to Tripla-A Vesia was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Impact Vesia made three relief appearances during his stint in the majors and allowed five runs (three earned) on a hit and five walks while striking out seven in four innings. His removal from the major-league roster was part of a transaction to make room for Albert Pujols and Yoshi Tsutsugo.
MAY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Suffers loss in Dodgers debut Vesia (0-1) took the loss against Milwaukee on Saturday, completing one inning and allowing four runs (two earned) on four walks while striking out two.
Impact The left-hander was recalled from the team's alternate training site earlier in the day and was promptly put into a pressure situation, getting the call in the 10th inning with LA up by a run. Vesia walked the first two batters he faced before yielding a run on a sacrifice fly, but he was able to prevent further damage by striking out the final batter of the frame. After the Dodgers got two runs in the top of the 11th, Vesia returned for the bottom of the frame and again walked the first two batters before he was replaced. Overall, the 25-year-old threw only 14 of 34 pitches for strikes, which is certainly not a recipe for success.
MAY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Back in big-league bullpen Vesia was recalled by the Dodgers on Saturday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Impact Vesia spent one day on the major-league roster in mid-April and did not get into a game. He'll take the spot that had belonged to Edwin Uceta, who was optioned in a corresponding move.
MAY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Demoted from active roster The Dodgers optioned Vesia to their taxi squad Sunday.
Impact Vesia's demotion clears a spot in the Dodgers bullpen for Brusdar Graterol (conditioning), who was activated from the injured list ahead of Sunday's series finale in San Diego. The 25-year-old lefty was only up with the Dodgers for one day and didn't appear in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Padres.
APRIL 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Slated to be called up Vesia will be recalled by the Dodgers ahead of Saturday's game against the Padres, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Impact The Dodgers used six relievers during Friday's 12-inning win over San Diego, so Vesia will be available as bullpen depth Saturday. Vesia made five relief appearances for the Marlins in 2020 and allowed nine runs on seven hits and seven walks while striking out five in 4.1 innings. He should serve as a low-leverage reliever in the big leagues and could be sent back to the team's alternate training site once the Dodgers' bullpen is fully rested.
APRIL 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sent to minors The Dodgers optioned Vesia to their minor-league camp Monday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Impact Vesia, whom the Dodgers acquired in February, will likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City or Double-A Tulsa as he begins his career with a new organization. The 24-year-old got the chance to make his MLB debut for the COVID-19-depleted Marlins in 2020, posting an 18.69 ERA over his five appearances out of the bullpen.
MARCH 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Heading to Dodgers Vesia and an additional prospect were traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for Dylan Floro, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Vesia made his big-league debut in 2020 and struggled with nine earned runs allowed over 4.1 innings, and he'll now be heading to the Dodgers. The 24-year-old made nine appearances at the Double-A level in 2019 and delivered 16.1 scoreless innings with a 25:1 K:BB, and he could compete for a bullpen spot in Los Angeles.
FEBRUARY 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sent down by Miami Vesia was optioned to the Marlins' alternate training site Thursday.
Impact Vesia will return to alternate camp after allowing five runs (four earned) over 1.1 innings during Wednesday's blowout loss to Atlanta. The southpaw has struggled to generate much production in his first taste of major-league action this year with an 18.69 ERA and 3.23 WHIP over 4.1 innings across five appearances.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Placed on 10-day injured list Vesia was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday for an undisclosed reason, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Impact The Marlins provided no reason for the transaction, and it's unclear whether Vesia's absence is related to the team's ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The southpaw took a loss in his MLB debut in the team's second game of the season, and the length of his stay on the injured list remains to be seen. The Marlins added pitchers James Hoyt and Brian Moran in corresponding moves.
AUGUST 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Alex Vesia’s Unlikely Rise to the Big Leagues The left-hander’s work ethic helped him go from late-round draft pick to major league contributor in only two years.
JULY 27, 2020 • FISHSTRIPES.COM
Takes loss in MLB debut Vesia (0-1) gave up two runs on a hit and a walk while striking out one over 0.2 innings Saturday to take the loss against the Phillies.
Impact Making his big-league debut, the southpaw got taken deep by Phil Gosselin to break open a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning. Vesia is one of three lefties in the Marlins' bullpen, and given that this was his first career appearance above Double-A, he may not see many high-leverage spots.
JULY 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
