The Los Angeles Dodgers are expecting infielder Eliezer Alfonzo to make his MLB debut Sunday night against the San Diego Padres. But the milestone comes in the wake of unspeakable personal tragedy.
Alfonzo, 26, has been told that his stepmother and sister were killed during the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela this past week. A pair of quakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude have reportedly claimed more than 3,000 lives, according to BNO News, and Alfonzo’s family members were found in the rubble.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the team is still planning for Alfonzo to play in the series finale. “They are expecting him to debut,” Roberts said, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Roberts added, “I don’t really know what to say about it, outside of my heart goes out to him and his family. I don’t really want to go too far into it, because I’ll get emotional. I know it’s tough. Very tough.”
A call-up under devastating circumstances
Alfonzo had been tearing it up for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, earning his shot at the big leagues. But the news from home changed everything. His father, Eliezer Alfonzo Sr., confirmed that his wife and daughter were among the casualties. The initial report came from journalist Maryorin Méndez, who broke the story on social media.
“The journalist reported the discovery of the wife and daughter of Eliezer Alfonzo, both sadly deceased,” wrote Georgeny Pérez on X. “From here, we send our most sincere condolences and a supportive embrace to the entire Alfonzo family in this moment of immense pain. Much strength. We are with you.”
It’s unclear how much Alfonzo knew about the situation before making the decision to play. But Roberts indicated the team is supporting him as he processes everything. Sunday’s game is already a big one for the Dodgers, who are trying to lock up a series win over their division rivals. Now it carries an emotional weight no one expected.
Alfonzo’s debut will be a moment he’s worked his whole life for. That it’s happening while he’s mourning makes it something else entirely. Baseball has a way of pushing forward even when the world feels like it’s falling apart. The Dodgers and their fans will be watching, hoping to give him at least a few innings of something normal.
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