Key Dodgers reliever likely to be left off NLCS roster due to injury

Aug 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be one arm poorer heading into their NLCS series against the New York Mets.

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that reliever Alex Vesia is “highly unlikely” to be on the team’s roster for the NLCS. Roberts added that Vesia is dealing with an intercostal injury, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic .

Indeed, Vesia was forced to exit Friday’s NLDS-clinching win over the San Diego Padres due to injury. Vesia entered in the seventh to get the final out of the inning and tried to come back out for the eighth but felt something during warmups and had to leave the game at that point.

The Dodgers should have enough bullpen arms to survive a Vesia absence in the NLCS. But that one still hurts since the lefty Vesia is their best option in relief against left-handed hitters. Vesia posted a 1.76 ERA with 11.8 K/9 during the regular season and held lefties to a .144 batting average.

Anthony Banda may be the Dodgers’ go-to lefty choice from here in what is a very righty-heavy bullpen. At this point, this may be a war of attrition for the Dodgers since another impact reliever landed on IL a couple weeks ago too .

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