Alex Vesia DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia shut the door on the Cubs in a 6-3 win on Wednesday. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning where he allowed one walk, one hit, and struck out one. The bulk of the save chances in 2025 figure to go to Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, but Vesia should pick up a handful of his own. In this case, Scott had been used the previous day in the ninth, and Yates was used Wednesday in the 8th. Vesia was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball in 2024, posting a 1.76 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 87 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. He should continue to see plenty of high-leverage usage, but the crowded bullpen makes him more useful for fantasy leagues that reward holds.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and left-handed reliever Alex Vesia avoided salary arbitration on Wednesday by settling on a one-year, $2.25 million guarantee deal that includes a club option for the 2026 season, according to a source. Vesia filed at $2.35 million, and the Dodgers countered at $2.05 million earlier this month. He'll be paid $2.25 million this year and has a $3.55 million club option that includes a $50,000 buyout. Vesia can make up to $3.75 million based on appearances. Although the 28-year-old southpaw isn't going to see any save chances in a loaded Dodgers bullpen, he should still feature in high-leverage situations in late innings based on matchups after he was lights-out in L.A. last year. In his fourth season with the Dodgers in 2024, he held a career-best 1.76 ERA, a career-high five saves, 0.99 WHIP and a career-high 87 K's in 66 1/3 innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed reliever Alex Vesia (ribs) said he threw 15 pitches during a simulated game on Wednesday and felt good on Thursday morning. Vesia said his fastball velocity might have been down one mph but that adrenaline should be able to get him by. "When the lights come on Friday, I'll be ready to go," Vesia said. The 28-year-old southpaw injured his rib cage while warming up in the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres and wasn't on the roster for the NL Championship Series versus the New York Mets. However, after bouncing back nicely after facing live hitters this week, it seems likely he'll be back on the roster for the World Series, where he'll operate in a late-inning role out of the bullpen. Vesia tossed three shutout innings in the NLDS in his three appearances with one walk and four K's.