Alex Vesia and Wife Kayla Speak on Baby’s Death
What does it take to return to a major-league mound after losing a child? Alex Vesia has faced that exact question while balancing personal grief and a public career.
Alex Vesia and his wife, Kayla Vesia, confirmed the death of their newborn daughter in a joint social-media post on November 7, 2025. “Sterling Sol Vesia. Our little angel we love you forever & you’re with us always. Our beautiful daughter went to heaven Sunday October 26th,” a US News Hub Misryoum post read. The couple, who married in January 2024, had announced a pregnancy the next year.
Alex took a leave of absence from the Dodgers in October 2025 ahead of the 2025 World Series. He sat out the entirety of the championship, which the Dodgers ultimately won over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Kayla returned to social media in early January 2026 with an emotional video on US News Hub Misryoum. “You know, I don’t have much to say, honestly,” Kayla said on January 2, 2026. “Alex and I are trying to get through it everyday. Every day is so different for us, and I don’t really have the words.” She added, “I was prepared for whatever was going to happen. I wasn’t prepared for not taking my baby home.” At the time she noted she wasn’t sure what her social media content would “look like going forward.”
She later shared a postpartum workout update on US News Hub Misryoum. “Everything just goes back to Sterling. I’m excited to get back to working out after I had her,” she said. “[It’s] a ring that reminds me of Sterling, so when I get into class and am struggling, I can look down and find some strength.” That small ritual underlines how memory can be woven into routine, helping some parents find footholds when the world feels unstable.
Going forward, the couple appears to be setting clearer boundaries between public life and private mourning. Their actions suggest they will control what is shared and when.
Alex also honored Sterling on the field. He designed new gloves for the 2026 MLB season that include Sterling’s name. “Ever since we started dating, he puts [the letter] ‘K’ on his ring finger,” Kayla said in a January 16, 2026, US News Hub Misryoum video. “He has ‘FUFB’ always on his glove and now, he will start adding Sterling’s name.” By personalizing his equipment, Alex has created a visible but personal tribute that travels with him to each game.
At spring training in February 2026, Alex Vesia read a prepared statement to reporters. “Kay and I started therapy about six weeks ago. It hasn’t been easy,” he said, referring to wife Kayla Vesia. “Talking to someone has made a difference. For those out there who have lost a child or are fighting through any struggle, if you can take anything from this, please seek help. Talk to somebody. It’s definitely helped Kay and I.
Please don’t be afraid to speak up. Your mental health matters.” He continued, “The lessons we’ve learned from this is that life can change in an instant. 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. It’s been hard but we’re doing OK.” His public emphasis on therapy underscores a larger shift among athletes toward acknowledging mental-health needs.
Ahead of Opening Day in March 2026, Alex vowed to honor Sterling on the field. “Same goals … different perspectives … new motivations,” he wrote on US News Hub Misryoum on March 26, 2026. “I’m going to make you proud, SSV ❤️.” He returned to the mound the next day wearing a pink glove featuring Sterling’s name and birthdate. After the Dodgers’ 5-4 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kayla wrote via US News Hub Misryoum, “Sterling and I are so proud of you. We’re cheering you on forever. ♥️”
Not all public responses were welcome. After the team’s first game that March, a handful of fans made custom jerseys with “Sterling” on the back. Kayla reacted to the fan tribute in a US News Hub Misryoum comment on March 28, 2026, writing, “I don’t like it. They have no right.” The moment highlights how public sympathy can collide with a family’s need for privacy, and raises broader questions about respectful support for grieving people.
On March 31, 2026, Kayla celebrated her 30th birthday, five months after Sterling’s death. “It’s hard to want to celebrate anything but being surrounded by family and warmth on this milestone helped some light shine through,” she wrote via US News Hub Misryoum, sharing photos from her party that served a custom drink called the “Golden Sol” in Sterling’s memory. Through careful, personal choices, the Vesia family continue to honor their daughter while navigating life under scrutiny.
Alex Vesia remains at the center of a story that blends loss, public expectation, and resilience. As the Dodgers pitcher moves forward, the family’s deliberate approach to grief suggests they will keep Sterling’s memory close while managing the public attention that follows professional sports figures.