Alfonzo Joins Isotopes

Catcher Eliezer Alfonzo joins the Albuquerque Isotopes today, August 12, from the Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican League. In a corresponding move, infielder Ian Stewart was released today.

Alfonzo, 34, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 14, 2012 and has spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons playing with Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican League. In 66 games (23 as a designated hitter) with the Diablos Rojos this season, the veteran catcher posted a .374 (88-for-254) average with 14 doubles, 21 home runs and 60 RBI.

 The 5-foot-11 backstop has six seasons of Major League service, spending time with San Francisco (2006-2008), San Diego (2009), Seattle (2010) and Colorado (2011). He has also had Minor League stints with St. Louis, Milwaukee and the then-Florida Marlins affiliates over his professional career.

Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996, he made his Major League debut with the Giants on June 3, 2006. The Venezuelan native has a career .240 batting average with 24 doubles, 17 home runs and 67 RBI in the Majors. Alfonzo has tossed out 39 of 132 potential base stealers (30%) in his big league career.

 Stewart was released after joining the Isotopes on July 5. He was signed by the Dodgers as a free agent after beginning the season in the Chicago Cubs organization at Triple-A Iowa. The Californian hit .174 (15-for-86) with six doubles and two home runs in 27 games with Albuquerque this year.

The Isotopes open their only regular-season series of 2013 against the Salt Lake Bees tonight at 6:35 PM. Angel Castro (7-3, 3.65) and Barry Enright (7-5, 6.12) of Salt Lake will go head-to-head in game one. Catch all of the game action with Josh Suchon on the call.