Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia announced the death of his infant daughter on Friday, after he sat out the entire 2025 World Series.
Vesia had previously been announced to likely be out for the series due to a "deeply personal family matter" with his wife, Kayla. In an Instagram post, he revealed that Sterling Sol Vesia died on Oct. 26:
"Our beautiful daughter went to heaven Sunday October 26th. There are no words to describe the pain we’re going through but we hold her in our hearts and cherish every second we had with her."
The Dodgers were aware of the situation around Vesia and kept the details private, with Game 3 hero Will Klein saying Oct. 28: "I would like to let them speak about that when they want to, but just keeping them in our thoughts and our prayers. There's bigger things than baseball. He's in all of our hearts."
Both the Dodgers' and Toronto Blue Jays' bullpens paid tribute to the southpaw by writing his No. 51 jersey number on their caps. The Dodgers relievers took the field in Game 3 with the number, and the Blue Jays relievers joined them in Game 6.
Vesia has been a popular figure on the Dodgers since joining the team in a trade from the Miami Marlins in 2021. He was slated to hold a significant role for the Dodgers in the Fall Classic, until an unimaginable tragedy hit.
Alex Vesia's full message about his daughter
Sterling Sol Vesia🪽
Our little angel we love you forever & you’re with us always.
Our beautiful daughter went to heaven Sunday October 26th. There are no words to describe the pain we’re going through but we hold her in our hearts and cherish every second we had with her.
Thank you to the Dodgers for their understanding and support during this time. Our baseball family showed up for us and we wouldn’t be able to do this without them.
Thank you Dodger Nation, Blue Jays organization and all baseball fans for your love and support. We have seen ALL your messages, comments and posts. It’s brought us so much comfort.
Lastly, we’d like to thank Cedars Sinai and all the medical staff who helped Kayla and Sterling. Every person we came across was truly so incredible.
With Love,
The Vesias
