LOS ANGELES - Roughly three weeks earlier, Eliezer Alfonzo heard from his 16-year-old sister Eliana that she had envisioned his baseball path, yet she withheld the specifics until the moment arrived. Alfonzo now senses what that vision likely contained.

"I believe the dream centered on this very situation," he noted. "I only wish she could have seen me compete at the highest level."

Alfonzo entered the majors on Sunday, taking the catching position for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their final game versus the San Diego Padres, stepping onto the diamond soon after discovering that Eliana and his stepmother Patricia had died in the earthquakes that struck Venezuela.

The pair had been listed as missing since June 24 following a pair of powerful quakes that hit northern Venezuela. Upon receiving his first big-league summons on Saturday, the 26-year-old Alfonzo clung to hope they would be located. Later that day he learned they were among the fatalities now totaling 3,342.

Alfonzo connected by phone with his father, the former big-league catcher bearing the same name, and his brother. Both urged him to savor the occasion and pay tribute to his sister and stepmother through his performance. Fellow Venezuelan and Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, whose own family had been near collapsed structures, offered comparable encouragement.

Alfonzo went hitless in two at-bats before a pinch hitter replaced him in the seventh. He inscribed "EyP RIP" on his cap and received a warm ovation from the 46,506 fans at Dodger Stadium upon his first plate appearance.

"Hearing my name called and stepping up to bat for the first time brought strong emotions and joy," Alfonzo said in Spanish following the 5-2 defeat. "The backing from the crowd meant a great deal and will stay with me always."

Rojas added "Alfonzo" and "Fuerza Matatan" to his own cap to honor the elder Alfonzo's nickname. Having faced him in winter ball since 2008, Rojas praised the veteran's stature in Venezuela and the lessons he gained from their association.

The younger Alfonzo logged nine seasons in the Detroit Tigers system without advancing. He joined the Dodgers as a free agent last November and posted a .313/.392/.422 line across 49 games at Triple-A. With the All-Star break nearing and primary catcher Will Smith sidelined by a neck issue, Los Angeles summoned Alfonzo to back up Dalton Rushing.

His proudest professional moment unfolded during his family's darkest period.

"It is difficult to frame this experience in words," Rojas observed. "For him to arrive here and choose to chase his lifelong goal while reflecting on his loved ones and the situation back home, with his father alone in Venezuela, weighs heavily."

"I intend to stand by the entire family, especially Eliezer, because I understand the challenge of performing under such circumstances," Rojas continued. "The news affected me deeply even though my relatives were unharmed, as I view Eliezer Alfonzo Sr. as a close friend."

Alfonzo's girlfriend and agent joined him in Los Angeles. He also sensed his sister's presence, recalling how she would cheer loudly from the stands and urge him to drive the ball.

That encouragement, he feels, will remain constant.

"She rests with God now," Alfonzo said. "She will watch over me and share in every future achievement."