{"id":114701,"date":"2026-04-25T02:00:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T05:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/dodgers-alex-vesia-got-snubbed-from-team-usa-wbc-role\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T02:00:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T05:00:29","slug":"dodgers-alex-vesia-got-snubbed-from-team-usa-wbc-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/dodgers-alex-vesia-got-snubbed-from-team-usa-wbc-role\/","title":{"rendered":"Dodgers’ Alex Vesia Got Snubbed From Team USA WBC Role"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia revealed that one of his long-time goals, to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic<\/a>, never materialized, despite his expressed interest.<\/p>\n

Vesia has been the Dodgers\u2019 best relief pitcher to start the season, one of the best overall in MLB.<\/p>\n

Since joining the Dodgers, he has been reliable for manager Dave Roberts and used in a variety of leverage roles.<\/p>\n

While his velocity has dropped, Vesia remains effective with unique pitch shapes and an aggressive approach that involves throwing strikes.<\/p>\n

Apr 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia (51) reacts after the final out of the ninth as he earned a save against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vesia, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register<\/a>, said that he expressed to Team USA.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been telling them for the last two years, \u2018I want to play. I want to play. I want to play,\u2019\u201d Vesia said. \u201cTeam USA was always such a cool concept. I was never good enough to even come close, trying out for 10-U (10-and-under teams), 12-U, 15-U, whatever. I just would have loved to have played for Team USA. It just never worked out.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Vesia rejected a smaller role in Team USA<\/h2>\n

The southpaw was offered a reserve role, but he was intent on either committing to a full spot or simply walking away from the opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey just pretty much said I was going to be a backup if anything. That was pretty much it,\u201d he said. \u201cTalking with my dad and with Kay (his wife), I was just, \u2018We have too much riding on this season to be 50\/50. Either I\u2019m all in or I\u2019m all out.\u2019 We ended up making the decision that I was out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Team USA ended up going with Clayton Kershaw<\/a>, Garrett Cleavinger, and Gabe Speier for their left-handed options.<\/p>\n

As for Vesia, he prepared as he usually does for the upcoming MLB season to help the Dodgers achieve their three-peat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way I go about my business from the start of spring training to the first game of the season, having the WBC in the middle would have been a factor and it would have dictated how we went about certain things,\u201d Vesia added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the way I felt coming into spring training and into spring training games and now this first month of the season, I think I made the right decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vesia has pitched in 10 games and has a total of 8.2 innings heading into Thursday\u2019s game against the San Francisco Giants.<\/p>\n

He has yet to allow a run, has a 0.3 fWAR, and a 1.87 FIP, showing that he is as effective as his gaudy counting statistics indicate.<\/p>\n

Team USA lost the WBC final, and while it is hard to know how well they could have done with a reliable arm like Vesia in the mix, his start to the 2026 season suggests they may have missed out on one.<\/p>\n

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