Dodgers' Eliezer Alfonzo makes MLB debut with heavy heart

Most of the crowd at Dodger Stadium on Sunday night stood to pay their respects to rookie Eliezer Alfonzo. After enduring more than nine seasons in the minor leagues, the Los Angeles Dodgers catcher made his MLB debut, batting ninth against the San Diego Padres.

He took the field with a heavy heart.

Earlier in the day, Alfonzo learned of the confirmation of the deaths of his 16-year-old sister, Eliana, and stepmother, Patricia. Both were victims of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters before the game that Alfonzo remained focused enough to make the start with starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan.

"I don't really know what to say about it, outside of my heart goes out to him and his family," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, as reported by the California Post. "I don’t really want to go too far (into it) because I’ll get emotional. I know it’s tough. Very tough."

To help with Alfonzo's transition to the big leagues, his locker was stationed next to fellow countryman Miguel Rojas, who embraced the 26-year-old during pre-game introductions.

Dodgers grieving rookie Eliezer Alfonzo transitions to MLB

A second-generation major leaguer, Alonzo's father, also named Eliezer, played parts of six MLB seasons (2006-11) with the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners and Padres.

After 2,078 minor-league at-bats, Alfonzo the younger stepped into a big league batter's box for the first time in the third inning Sunday. He grounded out to shortstop.

Alfonzo also wasn't shy to activate an ABS Challenge System call in the fourth inning. He was proven wrong. Two pitches later,  after receiving the 86-mph slider well inside the strike zone, he showed no hesitation and jogged to the home dugout as Padres Xander Bogaerts issued his own challenge. The long-time minor-leaguer was confident the five-time Silver Slugger was wrong.

The 13th Venezuelan to make his big-league debut this season, Alfonzo declined to speak with the media before his emotional debut. 

Opening his professional career in 2017, Alfonso, a long-time Detroit Tigers prospect, finally made it to Triple-A Toledo last season, appearing in eight International League games. Joining the Dodgers' deep system last offseason, he batted .313 in 49 games with the Pacific Coast League's Oklahoma City.

A switch-hitter, Alfonzo flew out to center field during his second at-bat in the sixth inning. 

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