The Los Angeles Dodgers called up Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. to the Major League roster on July 4 to serve as the team’s backup catcher.
The switch-hitting catcher has made eight appearances since being called up, including five starts. The 26-year-old has yet to get going at the plate, but the Dodgers like how he has fit into the clubhouse.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on SportsNet LA that the team has “trust” in the young catcher.
“The trust level, to be honest, I played with his father, and his father was a good baseball guy,” Roberts said. “So he was raised to be a catcher, so I think he just has feel. There’s a confidence he has behind the plate in himself.
“So I think for me, the fingers, the feel for the game, the relationships with the pitchers, I really wasn’t too concerned about it. Even in Spring Training, a brief little sample, he assimilated really well for a guy that had never been in camp. So I felt good about that.”
The backup catcher job had previously belonged to Chuckie Robinson, but he was sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma City after failing to make much of an impact.
Alfonzo has quite the opportunity on his hands, given the recent news of Will Smith being transferred to the 60-day injured list. The timeline for Smith to return from an increasingly stubborn neck injury is unclear, which made the IL designation more of a formality.
The earliest Smith can now be activated is Aug. 7, but that will not matter because he was not expected to be reinstated by then anyway.
Eliezer Alfonzo on roster for Dodgers’ evaluation
Robinson was initially chosen over Alfonzo when their primary catcher was placed on the injured list June 11. The Dodgers believed it was the more sensible move given how short Smith’s absence was projected to be, but the team decided to give the 26-year-old a shot as more time passed.
Alfonzo hit .313/.392/.422 with 15 doubles, one home run and 17 RBI over 49 games with the Comets before getting his contract selected by the Dodgers.
He has yet to replicate that success in the Majors, batting .143/.143/.214 with one double and one RBI.
Meanwhile, Dalton Rushing continues to be a solid starter in place of Smith.
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