Rookie's Family Tragedy
Dodgers Rookie Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. Debuts Following Family Deaths in Venezuela Earthquakes
Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. will make his MLB debut as the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting catcher against the San Diego Padres — just days after his sister and stepmother were found dead in a hotel near La Guaira, Venezuela, according to Sports Illustrated. Their deaths came amid a series of devastating earthquakes that have rocked the Venezuelan coast.
Alfonzo's father, Eliezer Alfonzo Sr. — himself a former major league catcher — remains in Venezuela, where he is helping with earthquake rescue efforts, according to The News Tribune. The rookie is pressing forward with his debut despite the unimaginable personal tragedy unfolding thousands of miles away.
Sister and Stepmother Killed in Venezuela Earthquake
Alfonzo's sister and stepmother were found dead inside a hotel near La Guaira, a coastal city in Venezuela, according to Star-Telegram. The deaths are tied to a series of powerful earthquakes that struck the region. La Guaira sits along Venezuela's northern coast and is one of the areas hit hardest by the disaster.
Alfonzo's father, a former big league catcher, is currently in Venezuela helping with rescue efforts in the wake of the quakes, according to Fresno Bee. The elder Alfonzo is not with his son in the United States as the rookie prepares to step onto an MLB field for the first time.
Alfonzo Jr. Earned His Call-Up With a Strong 2025 Season
The Dodgers signed Alfonzo to a minor league deal after he reached Triple-A for the first time in 2025. He made the most of the opportunity. In 49 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, he slashed .313/.392/.422, according to The State. Those numbers — strong average, solid on-base, and decent power — made him impossible to ignore.
The Dodgers selected his contract, promoting him to the major league roster. He is now set to start behind the plate in the series finale against San Diego. It is his first game in the big leagues, according to News Observer.
A Legacy Tied to His Father's Baseball Career
Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. carries a name well known in baseball circles. His father, Eliezer Alfonzo Sr., played as a catcher in the major leagues. The younger Alfonzo has followed the same path — same position, same dreams, now the same league, according to Sun Herald.
The family connection made this debut story compelling long before tragedy struck. Now, Alfonzo Jr. faces the most painful possible circumstances for his first MLB game. His father cannot be there — he is helping pull survivors from rubble in Venezuela, according to Charlotte Observer.
Dodgers Move Forward as Alfonzo Faces Grief and a Milestone
The Dodgers are closing out their series against the Padres, and Alfonzo is in the starting lineup. MLB debuts are rare moments — years of work lead to a single first game. For Alfonzo, that moment now comes wrapped in grief, according to Myrtle Beach Online.
There is no word yet on whether Alfonzo has spoken publicly about his family's deaths or his decision to play. The Dodgers have not commented on the matter publicly, according to Idaho Statesman. What is clear is that he will take the field, representing both himself and a family enduring a devastating loss back home.
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