Dodgers release NLCS roster: Kiermaier, Honeywell on; Rojas, Vesia off
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LOS ANGELES – Left-hander Alex Vesia and shortstop Miguel Rojas have each played big roles for the Dodgers this season, but both will be forced to miss the National League Championship Series against the Mets due to injury.
Vesia, who is one of the best left-handed relievers in the league, was injured during his warm up pitches before the eighth inning in Game 5 against the Padres. Not having Vesia is a huge blow to a Dodgers bullpen that has been the team's biggest strength so far this postseason.
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Without Vesia, the Dodgers will lean on Anthony Banda as their only left-hander. Right-hander Brent Honeywell replaces Vesia on the roster, giving the Dodgers a solid multi-inning option out of the bullpen.
“We’re hopeful. We’re not sure,” said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, when asked if Vesia would be available if the Dodgers reach the World Series. “But it’s something we’re going to do everything we can to keep treating it and put him in position for that. So we’re hopeful. It’s two days later, we don’t really know. But the early signs yesterday were optimistic, but who knows what that means.”
Rojas has been playing with a tear in his left adductor muscle for about a month. He was limited in the NLDS and will now be off the roster against the Mets. With Tommy Edman at shortstop, the Dodgers didn’t necessarily need Rojas on the roster. Veteran outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is back on the roster after not being part of the NLDS group. Kiermaier will likely serve as a pinch-runner and a defensive replacement in center field.
“He’s obviously a huge part of our ballclub,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts of Rojas. “He’s playable, but I think we just, as an organization, felt that what he brings to the table as far as elite shortstop defense, we just feel right now physically he’s a little bit more compromised, that can’t be brought to the table.”
Starters: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, Landon Knack
Relievers: Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen, Brent Honeywell, Anthony Banda, Edgardo Henriquez, Ben Casparius, Ryan Brasier
Catchers: Will Smith, Austin Barnes
Infielders: Freddie Freeman, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández
Outfielders: Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, Kevin Kiermaier, Andy Pages, Chris Taylor
Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani