Don't count out Ronald Belisario
He isn't just the guy who reported late to camp due to visa problems in Venezuela. He is now a guy with a real shot of being on this club when the roster is finalized late tomorrow night. He has made three relief appearances, two of them AFTER he was reassigned to minor-league camp on March 6. He mowed down seven batters in a row in the eighth and ninth innings against Oakland on Monday, although Nomar reached on a two-out error in the eighth to prevent it from being two perfect innings. Then, last night against the Angels, Belisario pitched the fifth and sixth, and although he gave up a couple of hits and a walk, he still struck out three, including Chone Figgins, Howie Kendrick and Vladimir Guerrero. This guy has great stuff, and the Dodgers don't have a great bullpen. He is 26, and he has never pitched above Double-A, but he did well pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League this year for Leones de Caracas. That team was managed by Caracas native Carlos Subera, the new manager of the Dodgers high Single-A Inland Empire affiliate. Belisario is TECHNICALLY still in minor-league camp, but while he was never officially promoted back to the big-league side, he is here in Los Angeles with the club, so that should tell you something.
From what I gather Belisario was great but MLB.TV didn't show the top of the 5th except for one batter.
The way the bullpen did in ST, I wouldn't be surprise he made the team.
It would appear that it's between Belisario and Troncoso. The rest of the bullpen seems to be set.
Broxton
Kuo
Wade
Mota
Weaver
Ohman (lefthanded placeholder occupying his spot until he returns from AAA between now and April 14th).
What I posted a few days ago...
To prevent Torre and Colletti from an unnecessary sleepless night. Here's the opening day roster.
Lineup:
Furcal
Hudson
Ramirez
Ethier
Kemp (better slugging % than Martin at this spot)
Loney
Martin (secondary leadoff guy with good OBP)
Blake
Bench
Ausmus
Loretta
Mientkiewicz
Pierre (for base running situations only, no plate appearances)
Castro
Rotation
Kuruda
Wolf
Billingsley
Kershaw (future ace)
McDonald (no more than 150 innings, save that arm)
Pen
Broxton
Mota
Wade
Weaver (for significant run deficits only)
Ohman
Troncoso
Kuo
Starting Rotation is a little suspect health wise, but it's almost assured Roy Halladay will be a trade target this summer). Dodgers should go all out and get him.