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A Los Angeles Dodger made his major league debut on Sunday, but what should’ve been a day of celebration was far more complicated.
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Mar 10, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Eliezer Alfonzo against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Eliezer Alfonzo, a catcher, learned just hours before the game against the San Diego Padres that his stepmother, Patricia, and younger sister, Eliana, had been killed in the two earthquakes that devastated Venezuela on June 24.
“I went out there to honor my sister and my stepmom and give my best in a difficult moment,” Alfonzo said in Spanish after the game, as reported by Katie Woo of The Athletic. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win, but you have to keep moving forward.”
Dodgers fans gave Eliezer Alfonzo standing ovation
The trying circumstances around Alfonzo’s debut made headlines before the game against the San Diego Padres began, and fans gave Alfonzo a round of applause when he came to the plate in the third inning.
After the game, Alfonzo addressed the media, including speaking in English about the role his family played in his MLB journey.
Alfonzo said he spoke with his father — who previously played in the big leagues — and brother ahead of the game, though he mourned that his sister was unable to see his debut.
“Three weeks ago, (Eliana) told me she had a beautiful dream, but she wasn’t going to tell me anything until the dream came true,” Alfonzo said. “I’m pretty sure the dream was something about this. I wish she was alive to watch me play in the big leagues, but I know she’s in God’s eyes now. She’s going to protect me and she’s going to enjoy every moment that I am going to have.”
Eliezer Alfonzo isn’t only Dodger affected by earthquakes
The Dodgers have several Venezuelan players, though none were affected as directly as Alfonzo.
Miguel Rojas’ wife and children were near the site of the quakes when they hit, though they were unharmed.
Two other Dodgers, Brusdar Graterol and Edgardo Henriquez, are also Venezuelan, though their hometowns are outside of the most affected areas.
To honor the affected Dodgers and other MLB players with Venezuelan roots, players have “VZ” embroidered on their hats.
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