Dodgers’ NLCS bullpen options after Alex Vesia’s injury

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ bullpen has been the team’s biggest strength over the past few months, but it’s expected to be without a major piece for the National League Championship Series as left-hander Alex Vesia is “highly unlikely” to be part of the relief corps against the Mets.

Vesia, who exited during his warmup before the top of the eighth in Game 5 of the NL Division Series on Friday, is dealing with an “intercostal situation,” according to manager Dave Roberts. The intercostal muscles are the muscles that run between the ribs.

Vesia has been the team’s best left-handed reliever over the course of the season and has been a leader down in the bullpen. He posted a 1.76 ERA in 67 appearances this season, punching out 87 over 66 1/3 innings of work.

What has made Vesia so valuable is his ability to retire both left-handed and right-handed hitters. This season, he allowed 20 hits in 133 at-bats to right-handers (.150 average) and limited lefties to a .144 batting average.

“Losing Alex potentially is brutal. It sucks,” Roberts said. “He’s a big part of what we do. But we’re just going to have to find somebody else to step up.”

One positive for the Dodgers is the Mets are a right-handed-heavy team. Outside of Francisco Lindor, who is a switch-hitter, most of their top batters are righties. That will allow Los Angeles to have some more options to replace Vesia.

Rookie righty Edgardo Henriquez will likely be back on the roster despite his struggles in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Padres. The same goes for right-hander Ben Casparius, who didn’t make an appearance in the NLDS. The top option to replace Vesia on the roster is right-hander Brent Honeywell, who missed the last round with a right middle finger injury.

Honeywell would give the Dodgers a solid multi-inning option, which could come into play given that there are three consecutive games when the series shifts to New York after Game 2.

“He’s been staying sharp in the sense he’s been pitching to our hitters on off-days,” Roberts said of Honeywell. “He’s still got this finger thing, but he certainly is in the mix, too.”

Even with the tough blow of losing Vesia, the Dodgers believe they’ll have more than enough options out of the bullpen. Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips are the top three relievers for the club moving forward. Daniel Hudson and Ryan Brasier also give them some quality depth behind those three. On the lefty side, Los Angeles still has Anthony Banda, who has really stepped up this season.