Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia still has a fiery disposition as one of manager Dave Roberts' trusted arms. Yet Vesia also has a very soft, tender side, one that the entire MLB world has seen publicly.

Of course, the baseball world has sent its love and thoughts to Vesia and his wife, Kay, after learning of the death of their child. Once Vesia arrived at Spring Training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, Vesia made a heartfelt, public statement about what he and Kay have been through.

Yet the next MLB season for the Dodgers looms ahead. On Monday, Vesia took the mound in a Spring Training game and worked an inning. The Dodgers beat the Seattle Mariners 3-0 on Monday.

The fans in attendance rose and gave him a standing ovation. Vesia has been learning how to navigate life's brutal blows at this time. He's found solace not only in being back actively playing in baseball, but also from spending time with his Dodgers teammates at times, too.

“It’s been hard, actually. Hard in a good way," Vesia said, according to Dodgers beat reporter Sonja Chen of MLB.com. "Because I want to interact with the fans and all that, but I know I have a job to do. Even on the backfields the first day, we walk out the doors and [there are] cheers and lots of love. It means a lot to myself, and Kay, too.”

There have been times when everything might feel very challenging for Vesia. Yet he knows that his teammates and Roberts are there to help him along the way.

"I think baseball players … are pretty good at compartmentalizing, but obviously that's something certainly hard to do," Roberts told Chen. "But I do think that getting back to the work in the weight room and throwing bullpens and preparing for the season, I do think that there's some therapy in that."

The human condition of vulnerability isn't always appreciated by some in the sports world. There are those who might believe that putting forth a stoic face and impression should be the athletes' credo at all times.

Yet life does not work that way. It's not neat and all stacked up in an orderly fashion. Stuff happens. Vesia knows first-hand how life's journey can get thrown into disarray.

"I think I said in my statement, being around the guys has been real comforting," Vesia said. "We’ve had multiple conversations, and guys are asking me questions, just trying to feel for me. That’s honestly been a blessing.

"I do like talking about it with the guys," Vesia continued. "I don’t want them to feel like they can’t, because to share those important moments and whatnot -- these guys are my brothers. I truly do love all of them."

If there is one special Dodgers player that all fans, not only in Los Angeles but beyond Dodger Stadium. will be rooting for this season, then pencil in Vesia's name right there.

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