Dodgers Pitcher Alex Vesia Emotionally Addresses Newborn's Death

Vesia returned to the Dodgers after losing his baby girl just before the World Series.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia spoke emotionally to reporters for the first time since the death of his newborn daughter, Sterling Sol, just before the 2026 World Series. Vesia, who was left off the Dodgers' World Series roster, shared how he and his wife Kayla are coping with the tragedy and expressed gratitude for the support they've received from the Dodgers organization, the Toronto Blue Jays, and other teams.

Why it matters

The loss of a child is an unimaginable tragedy, and Vesia's emotional return to the Dodgers sheds light on the human side of professional sports and the challenges athletes can face in their personal lives. Vesia's willingness to openly discuss his grief provides comfort and inspiration to others dealing with similar losses.

The details

Vesia began his statement by wiping away tears, then spoke for six minutes about the brief time he and his wife had with their daughter before her passing. He said they were able to hold, change, and read to Sterling Sol, but their time together was 'far too short.' Vesia expressed gratitude for the support he and his wife have received from the Dodgers organization, the Blue Jays, and other teams, including the Los Angeles Rams.

  • Just before the 2026 World Series began, the Dodgers left Vesia off their roster.
  • Vesia returned to the Dodgers as pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in 2026.

The players

Alex Vesia

A relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who lost his newborn daughter just before the 2026 World Series.

Kayla Vesia

The wife of Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia, who lost their newborn daughter.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Dodgers' opponent in the 2026 World Series, whose players wore a patch with Vesia's number 51 to show their support.

Los Angeles Rams

One of the organizations that reached out to Vesia and his wife with support after the loss of their daughter.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The lessons we've learned from this is that life can change in an instant. For us, 10 minutes is all it took. Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world. We got to hold her, change her diaper, read to her, and love her. Our time together was far too short … I was not prepared to not bring my baby girl home, but we're carrying her with us every day.”

— Alex Vesia, Dodgers Pitcher

“Kayla and I will keep those precious moments and memories to ourselves. I hope that anyone listening can empathize and respect our wishes for privacy as we continue to heal and as we navigate the ups and downs of a baseball season.”

— Alex Vesia, Dodgers Pitcher

“They are a first-class organization. Kayla and I just want to say thank you to them. When Kayla and I were watching the World Series, we noticed that there was 51 on Louis Varland's hat. I immediately texted Gus Varland, his brother, and I asked him if I was seeing that correctly. He texted me back right away, and he said, 'the Varland's love you, dude, the whole Toronto bullpen has it too. It's bigger than baseball. We love y'all.'”

— Alex Vesia, Dodgers Pitcher

What’s next

The Dodgers organization and Vesia's teammates will continue to provide support as he and his wife grieve the loss of their daughter and prepare for the upcoming baseball season.

The takeaway

Vesia's emotional return to the Dodgers after the tragic loss of his newborn daughter serves as a powerful reminder of the human side of professional sports and the importance of empathy, compassion, and community support during times of profound grief and personal struggle.