Dodgers Issue Statement on Deaths of Eliezer Alfonzo's Sister, Stepmother After Venezuela Earthquake

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Sunday that catcher Eliézer Alfonzo's sister and stepmother died from the catastrophic earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24.

Alfonzo made his MLB debut on Sunday against the San Diego Padres.

Alfonzo, 26, signed with the Detroit Tigers as an international free agent in 2016 and joined the Dodgers on a minor league contract in November. He was called up to the majors on Saturday before making the start on Sunday.

His teammate, Miguel Rojas, wrote a message to honor Alfonzo's family on his hat.

Venezuela's northern coast was hit with back-to-back powerful earthquakes on June 24, and at least 2,295 people have died.

"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. "So he is in there. I think he's going to play today, but obviously it's — a heavy heart is not even justifying. I don't want to really go too far, because I'll get emotional. So I don't know. Yeah, I know it's tough. Very tough."

MLB and the MLB Players' Association donated $1 million to aid in recovery from the earthquakes, and the Dodgers and Padres paid tribute to the victims ahead of their game last week.