Alex

Vesia

The Dodgers deployed Evan Phillips in the eighth inning to face the heart of the Brewers’ lineup with a one-run lead, and he served up a game-tying homer to Christian Yelich. The Dodgers answered right back with a pair of runs of their own though and Vesia came on to make sure that it stood up. He got Rhys Hoskins on a swinging third strike, Blake Perkins on foul out to first and Andruw Monasterio on a fly ball to left to end it. He has now converted five saves while registering a stellar 1.36 ERA in 39 2/3 innings.

Evan Phillips pitched the eighth inning while Vesia got the ninth inning and thus his fourth save of the season. Phillips was likely used in the eighth inning because all four batters he faced were right-handed. Vesia’s ERA is now 1.16 on the year, but don’t expect many more saves in his future as long as Phillips is healthy.

Vesia allowed one hit and didn’t issue a walk nor pick up a strikeout. The 28-year-old now has three saves on the season, and the scoreless inning gives him a sparkling 1.13 ERA. The save chances are likely to be limited as long as he remains a Dodger.

Vesia got the call to protect a three-run lead during the second half of Tuesday’s doubleheader at Citi Field and needed just 30 pitches (16 strikes) to record the final six outs. It was his second save of the season. There won’t be a ton of save chances for the 28-year-old lefty moving forward with closer Evan Phillips likely to return later this week from the injured list.

Hudson got the call to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and tossed a flawless frame on 12 pitches (10 strikes). It’s worth noting that both Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia might’ve been unavailable after pitching during Monday’s series opener. This was Hudson’s first outing since an ugly blown save last Friday against the Braves. It’ll presumably remain a closer by committee situation with Hudson, Treinen and Vesia splitting the ninth-inning duties until Evan Phillips is ready to return from the injured list at some point later this month.

Vesia came in to protect a three-run lead and the southpaw was up to the challenge. That’s the first save of the season for the 28-year-old — and just the fourth of his career — and he lowered his ERA to 1.65 with the scoreless frame. He could see more save chances with Evan Phillips out with his hamstring injury, but nothing is for sure in this situation.

Financial terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, but Vesia was projected to earn $1.2 million through the arbitration process after taking home $750,000 in 2023. The 27-year-old left-hander made 56 appearances for the Dodgers in 2023, compiling a 4.35 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 64/17 K/BB ratio over 49 2/3 innings. He’ll once again function in a middle relief role for the Dodgers in 2024.

With Evan Phillips unavailable after working three straight games earlier this week, and Daniel Hudson (knee) landing on the injured list, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts turned to Vesia for the final frame in this one after Brusdar Graterol worked the eighth inning. The 27-year-old southpaw wound up needing just 14 pitches (nine strikes) to end it.

Vesia gets the call back to the big leagues with veteran righty Daniel Hudson (knee) landing on the injured list ahead of Thursday’s game against the Pirates. The 27-year-old southpaw holds a lackluster 7.58 ERA, 2.42 WHIP and 30/12 K/BB ratio across 19 innings (23 appearances) this season in the big leagues.

With Phil Bickford returning from the injured list on Friday, someone needed to get the boot from the Dodgers’ bullpen and it looks like Vesia drew the short straw this time around. The 27-year-old southpaw has struggled to a 7.58 ERA, 2.42 WHIP and a 30/12 K/BB ratio 19 innings with the big league club this season.