After the heartbreaking loss of his beloved daughter, Dodgers reliever Vesia expresses gratitude for the support from the baseball community.

Nearly four months after the tragic loss of his daughter, Alex Vesia has at last articulated this deeply painful experience.

Representing both himself and his wife Kayla, Vesia spoke to the media at the Dodgers’ spring training site today, delivering a heartfelt statement over six minutes long to express gratitude for the support received from the Dodgers and the baseball community after their daughter Sterling Sol died in late October. This was his first public statement since her passing, delivered with strong emotion.

“This experience has taught us that life can change in an instant. For us, it took just ten minutes,” Vesia said. “Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world. We held her, changed her diapers, read to her, loved her. Our time together was far too brief. Kayla and I will cherish those fleeting, precious moments and memories. We hope everyone can understand and respect our privacy as we continue to heal and gradually move forward through the ups and downs of the season.”

Last season, Vesia was arguably the most dependable reliever in the Dodgers’ bullpen. He did not travel with the team to Toronto for the start of the World Series and ultimately did not rejoin the roster.

During the World Series, Dodgers bullpen pitchers wore his number 51 on the side of their caps as a sign of support. A few days later, the Blue Jays bullpen pitchers also joined in, offering condolences to the Vesia family.

“Kayla and I noticed Louis Varland wearing number 51 on his hat while watching the World Series,” Vesia said. “I immediately texted his brother Gus Varland to check if I was seeing things right. He quickly replied, ‘The Varland family loves you, brother. The entire Toronto bullpen is wearing it. This goes beyond baseball. We all love you guys.’”

“Kayla and I were deeply moved at that moment. The emotional impact was overwhelming — the baseball community and the friendships we’ve built along the way — it all showed this is so much more than just baseball.”

Manager Dave Roberts said, “What the Blue Jays did reflects the true spirit of the baseball family. Life always comes first. But thinking about Alex not being with us to compete in the World Series is tough; he means so much to our team. I rarely bring it up because I know how painful it is.”

Although Vesia greatly wanted to be with the team during the World Series, he admitted that stepping away from the Dodgers temporarily was not a difficult choice because his family needed him more. He and Kayla watched the entire series together, describing it as “a light in the darkness.”

Soon after, Vesia returned to the gym to begin pitching workouts. He said the physical training provided him with “mental clarity.” Being back with the team lifted his spirits, and the arrival of a new season gave him hope for brighter days ahead.

Vesia also revealed that he and Kayla are undergoing therapy to help them cope with their grief. Speaking about their pain has helped them make sense of this unimaginable loss.

“It’s not easy, but talking to someone really makes a difference,” Vesia said. “If anyone has lost a child or is going through any kind of struggle, please reach out for help. Talk to someone. It has helped Kayla and me tremendously. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your mental health matters.”

“I realize what happened to us has happened to countless families. Recognizing that makes us more empathetic toward this community and even more grateful. The baseball world is a very strong community.”

Vesia paused briefly, took a deep breath, and continued.

“I’m not ready to come home without my daughter, but we carry her with us every day. It’s incredibly hard, but we keep trying.”