LOS ANGELES -- Just as the Dodgers' bullpen was starting to get healthier, the group took another blow when left-hander Alex Vesia was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right oblique strain ahead of Tuesday night's 6-3 win over the Reds.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, both Vesia and manager Dave Roberts expect the IL stint -- which was backdated three days to Saturday -- to be close to minimum length.
"I don't think it should be too long," Roberts said. "He's been obviously a leverage guy for us the last few years, so we got to make sure we get him right for the stretch run."
In a corresponding move, lefty Blake Snell was reinstated from the paternity list. His next start is expected to come on Friday.
Vesia had not pitched since last Thursday in Denver. The issue first flared up while he was playing catch a few days ago. He said it was the same side as the injury that kept him off last year's NL Championship Series roster, but in a different location -- and less serious.
"Just felt tight. There was no pull or grab or anything that made me concerned," Vesia said. "I think Doc, all of our training staff is on the same page, just making sure that we knock it out now, make sure it doesn’t get worse. There’s no need to push it."
Although Vesia recently went through a rough patch where he gave up five runs (four earned) in four appearances from Aug. 6-15, the southpaw has been the Dodgers' most reliable leverage arm as the bullpen has been rocked by injuries.
Vesia posted a 2.75 ERA across 59 appearances, the second most on the team behind Anthony Banda's 61. Until Tuesday, he was the team's only high-leverage arm who had not missed any time due to injury.
The Dodgers got Tanner Scott (left elbow inflammation) and Kirby Yates (lower back pain) back from the IL over the weekend, fortifying the back end of the 'pen. Michael Kopech (right knee meniscectomy) is eligible to come off the 60-day IL on Wednesday, but manager Dave Roberts said he's more likely to return after rosters expand on Sept. 1. It seems unlikely that Vesia's injury will change that timeline.
This season, Vesia was typically part of the bridge to the ninth inning rather than one of the arms in the mix to close out games, although he did pick up four saves. In his absence, rookies Ben Casparius and Jack Dreyer could potentially step into the fireman role that Vesia excelled in.
With L.A. fighting to protect a slim lead in the NL West down the stretch, the team will eventually need Vesia back at his best. In that sense, giving him a couple of weeks off to ensure he's feeling healthy and fresh for the final postseason push may be beneficial.
"I think the rest is a good thing. But at the same time, it’s not like I’m trying to get more rest," Vesia said. "I was fighting them back and forth on staying. But overall, I do believe it’s the right decision.”