Los Angeles Dodgers rookie catcher Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. made his MLB debut on Sunday, despite a heartbreaking tragedy involving his family in Venezuela.
According to multiple reports, Alfonzo’s sister and stepmother were found dead on Sunday in the wake of the earthquakes that hit Venezuela on June 24.
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The pair had been missing since the quakes began, but were found in the rubble of a hotel.
Alfonzo is the son of former MLB catcher Eliezer Alfonzo and joined the Dodgers on a minor league deal in November. The 26-year-old spent nearly a decade in the minor leagues and was called up by the Dodgers on Saturday.
During his first MLB at-bat on Sunday, he received a standing ovation from Dodgers fans.
Alfonzo honored his sister and stepmother with a tribute written on his hat.
“Don’t really know what to say about it outside of my heart goes out to him and his family,” manager Dave Roberts said when asked about Alfonzo playing through the grief.
“He is in there. He’s in play today, but obviously, heavy heart’s not even justifying. I don’t really want to go too far because I’ll get emotional. I know it’s tough. Very tough.”
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
