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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia has revealed that his baby daughter Sterling died on October 26, forcing his absence from the team's World Series victory.
In a heartbreaking statement posted to social media alongside his wife Kayla, Vesia wrote: '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.
'Our little angel we love you forever & you’re with us always. 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.'
When the 29-year-old Vesia's absence for the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays was announced, the Dodgers organization said he was missing due to a 'deeply personal family matter'.
Without Vesia, the Dodgers went on to win one of the most enthralling World Series' in memory, beating the Blue Jays in Game 7 for the second straight championship.
He was absent for the team's parade through the city on Monday after returning from Canada.
Dodgers star Alex Vesia and wife Kayla have announced their baby daughter died
Vesia, 29, was ruled out of the World Series shortly before it started due to a personal matter
Vesia's statement added: '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.'
Alex and Kayla announced in April that they were expecting their first child together, a baby girl, and were documenting their journey on social media.
After the Dodgers clinched a second consecutive title last Saturday, Vesia's fellow Dodgers pitcher Will Klein gave him and Kayla a shoutout.
'We’ve all messaged him,' Klein said. 'We just want him to know that he’s in our hearts, and we did this all for him.'
'He’s such a big part of why we’re here in the first place, and so just to be able to get this for them - there are harder places to be than on a World Series mound,' Klein continued. 'And so, what they’re going through isn’t great.'
The 2025 campaign was Vesia's fifth with the Dodgers, having been traded to the team by the Miami Marlins back in 2021.
Earlier this week, the Dodgers renewed Vesia's contract for the 2026 season on a $3.55million deal.
Alex and Kayla pictured celebrating the Dodgers' playoff success together in early October
Vesia was key for the Dodgers in 2025, establishing himself as one of MLB's best leftys
Vesia is regarded among the best left-armers in the game and was one of the most dependable relievers for the Dodgers across the 2025 season. His absence was felt by the Dodgers during the World Series, even as the team eventually emerged successful.
Both the Dodgers and the Blue Jays wore Vesia's number, 51, on their caps during baseball's showpiece event, a move that Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts thanked the Canadian team for.
'I think it really speaks to the brotherhood of athletes, Major League Baseball players,' Robers said.
'They’ll all say that "baseball is what we do but its not who we are" and for these guys to recognize Alex, and what he and Kayla have gone through, heartbreaking is not even a good enough descriptor.
'But for them to acknowledge that, it just speaks to how much respect and love that they have for one another. It’s a huge, huge tribute to Alex.'
Alex met his wife Kayla in 2019 and they got married in January 2024. They met after he messaged her on Instagram.
