Ronald Belisario receives visa, is expected to rejoin Dodgers

Reliever Ronald Belisario, who missed last season because he was unable to gain entry into the United States, has been granted a visa and is expected to be in camp for the start of spring training, according to his agent.

“He should be ready to go,” said Rick Oliver, who represents Belisario.

Armed with a mid-90s sinker, Belisario came out of nowhere to post a 2.04 earned-run average in 69 appearances as a rookie in 2009, but his career has since been derailed by a series of personal problems.

Facing drunk-driving charges, Belisario had trouble receiving a visa in 2010 and spent most of spring training in his native Venezuela. Later that year, he missed more than a month of the regular season to receive treatment in a substance-abuse program. He finished that season with a 5.04 ERA.

Unable to secure a visa, Belisario never made it out of Venezuela last year.

Oliver wouldn’t comment on Belisario’s past substance-abuse problems, but said, “He understand he has issues in the past, but he’s ready to go and get back to the major leagues.”

Belisario is currently pitching in Venezuela’s winter league. The closer of the Bravos de Margarita, Belisario had five saves and a 4.09 ERA in his first 22 appearances.

[UPDATE: The Dodgers have been looking to add another reliever and this latest development involving Belisario won't change those plans, General Manager Ned Colletti said.]

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-- Dylan Hernandez

Photo: Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario in 2010. Credit: Bret Hartman / For The Times