Ronald Belisario's lawyer says DUI case resolved, but Dodgers pitcher still not in camp
March 17, 2010 | 12:26pm
Add
Ronald Belisario's lawyer to those who don't know why the right-handed pitcher hasn't yet reported to the Dodgers' spring-training camp.
The Venezuelan has yet to arrive at Camelback Ranch because of visa problems, which were aggravated by a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence, stemming from an incident last June in Pasadena.
But his lawyer,
J. Michael Flanagan, said Wednesday that the DUI case was resolved last week and that he couldn't explain why the 27-year-old middle reliever still wasn't in Arizona.
"I don't know what's going on," Flanagan said. Dodgers officials said this week that they couldn't explain the delay.
Flanagan said the initial charges against Belisario were reduced to a non-alcohol-related reckless-driving charge and that Belisario was fined $1,000. Flanagan said he appeared on behalf of Belisario at all of the case's hearings.
He also said that "I knew this pending DUI delayed" Belisario's visa application and "that’s why I hurried up the resolution of the case," adding that he then sent the paperwork to Belisario's agent,
Paul Kinzer.
Kinzer said Wednesday that "we submitted that" paperwork to U.S. immigration authorities and "we're hoping to hear something in the next few days."
In the meantime, Belisario remains in Venezuela and is "working out and ready to go as soon as he lands" in the United States, Kinzer said.
Belisario was a workhorse for the Dodgers last season, with 69 appearances, but the Dodgers have said it's likely that the pitcher wouldn't arrive at camp in time to be available opening day April 5.
-- Jim Peltz in Phoenix
Photo: Ronald Belisario pitching against the Colorado Rockies last July at Dodger Stadium. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times
[h1]
Scratch one from fifth-starter consideration: Joe Torre says James McDonald looks like reliever[/h1]
March 17, 2010 | 11:48am
It looks like the Dodgers’ fondest hope for filling the fifth spot in the rotation,
James McDonald, isn’t going to happen.
Joe Torre told reporters Wednesday afternoon that "McDonald looks more like a bullpen guy."
This is the same right-hander who was given the fifth spot last spring but, after going 1-1 with an 8.78 ERA in four starts, was moved to the bullpen for the rest of the season.
He went 4-4 with a 2.72 ERA out of the bullpen, so Torre is probably on to something.
Still, it has to be disappointing that McDonald didn’t show enough this spring to remain in serious contention for the fifth spot. He’s only 25, and aside from
Carlos Monasterios (24 next week) and
Charlie Haeger (26), the other candidates are 30 or older --
Eric Stults (30),
Russ Ortiz (35) and
Ramon Ortiz (36).
"Stults and Haeger haven't done anything to hurt their chances," Torre said. "I don't think anybody for sure is on the team."
McDonald’s youth and promise made him a nice fifth-starter candidate, and if he’d pulled it off, he would have set himself up with a nice future in the rotation. After only two -- and the emphasis is on two -- spring appearances (six earned runs in four innings on eight hits and three walks), the Dodgers have apparently seen enough to make a decision.
McDonald isn’t likely to start the season at Triple-A Albuquerque, so along with
Jeff Weaver, he gives the Dodgers two middle relievers who could also be swing guys if needed.
-- Steve Dilbeck
JMac just didn't come with it & The Curious Case of Ronald Bellisario?