"I was willing to do whatever it took" - Alex Vesia on pushing through injury to 'be ready' for World Series with Dodgers

During Game 5 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia exited with an injury. It was reported that the hard-throwing lefty was dealing with a rib cage injury.

That injury prevented him from being included on the NLCS roster after his club took down the Padres. However, L.A. took down the New York Mets in the NLCS while he kept hard at work trying to return for the World Series, and that is just what happened.

Vesia returned during the World Series, making multiple appearances. He was not going to miss this series, and he detailed his experience battling through his injury on the "Foul Territory" podcast on Thursday.

"I have to be ready to go for the World Series. There is no way I can just sit on the side and be content with that. So, I was definitely pushing some of the trainers, probably a little harder than most, but I felt good day in and day out," said Vesia.

Vesia explained that he would not feel right just sitting on the bench, unable to help his team during the biggest series. He pushed himself and the training staff to get himself in a position to return.

"It's kind of like, you've got to give it all you got, and I was willing to do whatever it took. That was my mentality" said Vesia.

Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia reveals the Padres were the bigger challenge during the postseason

Los Angeles Dodgers - Alex Vesia (Photo via IMAGN)

Later in the show, Scott Braun asked Alex Vesia what team was the tougher challenge. While the New York Yankees made it farther, Vesia believed the Padres were the bigger challenge for the Dodgers.

"I think the Yankees kind of got handcuffed there a little bit towards the end with who they had and what lineup they wanted to bring out," said Vesia.

It was not just the lineup; Vesia also mentions that San Diego's bullpen was elite during the later stages of the game. The game did not get much easier after they knocked out one of their starters.

"The Padres' bullpen going even 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th, right? Like man, that bullpen was just dude after dude after dude, threw 95-100 [mph], sliders, change ups, splitters. I mean, they were coming at us with everything" said Vesia.

San Diego should be a team that fans pay close attention to over the offseason. They have the pieces to build around and could really entice another star to come aboard.