Catcher Debuts for Dodgers With a 'Heavy Heart'

Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. stepped into his first major-league start on Sunday against the San Diego Padres carrying news no player wants to hear. The Los Angeles Dodgers catcher learned that his stepmother and younger sister, missing for nine days after powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on June 24, had been found dead, according to multiple reports out of the South American country, per ESPN. Alfonzo, 26, was called up Saturday to the majors after nine seasons in the Detroit Tigers' minor league system and had hoped his stepmother, Patricia, and sister, Eliana, would be located alive.

His family members were reportedly found in the rubble of a hotel they'd been staying in. The son of former big-league catcher Eliezer Alfonzo, the younger Alfonzo joined the Dodgers in a minor league deal in November and was hitting .313 with strong on-base numbers in Triple-A. He was promoted to help boost the catching squad while Will Smith recovers from a neck issue.

Alfonzo's father couldn't be at Sunday's game, as he's back in Venezuela helping with rescue efforts, reports SI.com. Manager Dave Roberts said Alfonzo would be available to play but acknowledged the emotional strain, per the Los Angeles Times: "My heart goes out to him and his family ... obviously it's heavy hearts."