Dodger Pitcher Alex Vesia's Newborn Died During World Series

LOS ANGELES, CA — Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia announced the death of his newborn daughter Friday afternoon. The tragedy sheds light on his decision last month not to play in the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

"Our little angel we love you forever & you’re with us always," Vesia wrote in Instagram Friday with a black and white photo that appears to show mom, dad and baby's hands clasped together.

"Our beautiful daughter went to heaven Sunday October 26th. There are no words to describe the pain we’re going through, but we hold her in our hearts and cherish every second we had with her.

"Thank you to the Dodgers for their understanding and support during this time. Our baseball family showed up for us and we wouldn’t be able to do this without them."

At the start of the World Series the team announced that Vesia, the bullpen's go-to left-handed relief pitcher, would not play due to a "deeply personal family matter." General Manager Dave Roberts and teammates came out in support of Vesia's decision.

Dodgers relievers wore Vesia’s No. 51 on their caps in a tribute to their absent teammate. Blue Jays relievers joined them in the tribute for Game 6.

The Dodgers went on to win the World Series in an epic 7-game series that involved an 18-inning game and a historic pitching feet that propelled Yoshinobu Yamamoto to MVP status.

Vesia went 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 68 regular-season games and 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in seven postseason appearances. The team announced on Oct. 23, the day before Game 1 against the Blue Jays, that he was not with the team in Toronto.

Vesia did not announce his daughter's cause of death.

"Lastly, we'd like to thank Cedars-Sinai and all the medical staff who helped Kayla and Sterling," he added. "Every person we came across was truly so incredible."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.