LOS ANGELES – As expected, the Dodgers did not include left-handed reliever Alex Vesia or shortstop Miguel Rojas on the National League Championship Series roster they announced Sunday because both are still dealing with injuries.

Rojas, the club’s everyday shortstop, has been playing for months through a torn left adductor and resolved the problem with injections and scheduled rest days. However, doing this only controlled the symptoms, rather than erasing them. Rojas aggravated the injury during Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres while trying to stretch for the bag at second base. He left half an inning later when he clearly limped around the bases. Rojas, 35, has enjoyed a career-best season, hitting .283 with a .748 OPS in 103 games.

Tommy Edman is expected to take over everyday shortstop duties in Rojas’ absence, with Game 5 hero Kiké Hernández likely to earn a start in center field (except in a scenario where Freddie Freeman’s sprained ankle prevents him from playing, in which case Hernández were to slide to the other side). third base). Veteran midfielder Kevin Kiermaier, who has already said this will be his final season, was added to the squad in place of Rojas.

Vesia had emerged as one of the most valuable left-handed relievers in baseball this season, posting a 1.76 ERA in 67 appearances during the regular season and three scoreless outings against the Padres in the NLDS. During the latter, Vesia recorded a strikeout to complete the seventh inning, but waved to the trainers before starting the eighth, citing what he hoped was just a cramp in his side area. Further imaging on Saturday revealed an intercostal strain.

Anthony Banda, who emerged this season after being acquired in a small trade in May, will be the only left-hander in a Dodgers bullpen when they face the New York Mets, who have Brandon Nimmo, Jesse Winker and Jeff McNeil as lefties . -handed-hitting-options.

Brent Honeywell Jr. took Vesia’s spot on the roster. The NLCS begins Sunday night at Dodger Stadium.

(Top photo by Alex Vesia: Charles LeClaire/USA Today)