Ronald Belisario and the Dodgers: The dilemma awaiting answers

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What now, Ronald Belisario?

What now, Dodgers?

The Times’ Dylan Hernandez and Bill Shaikin reported that the reason the right-hander left the team and was placed on the restricted list Wednesday was to receive treatment in a substance abuse program.

Certainly there is more to come on this story, but for now it seems a sad situation for the hard-throwing Belisario and a challenging one for the Dodgers.

No one is commenting. Players seem as in the dark over his situation as anyone. There is an almost odd mix of concern and mystery.

Because of his DUI arrest last summer, the assumption made by most will be that Belisario is seeking treatment for a drinking problem. Still, for now that is simply an assumption.

The Dodgers will now have to move forward knowing Belisario will be out for an unspecified time period.

Manager Joe Torre said Thursday that he’s treating Belisario as if he’s injured.

‘He’s on the DL as far as I’m concerned,’ he said.

But when a player goes on the disabled list, it’s with a specific injury that carries with it an understood time frame as to when he’s likely to return.

With Belisario it’s all but unknown. There is nothing to really count on right now. The Dodgers almost have to operate under the assumption he may not come back this season at all.

At a time when Torre only has confidence in about three relievers in his bullpen -- Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo and Jeff Weaver -- Belisario’s loss is a blow. It puts more pressure than ever on general manager Ned Colletti to find pitching help before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.

Meanwhile, Belisario -- who had not allowed a run in his last five appearances -- has a very different challenge. A troubling one that at age 27, he needs to master now.

Something transpired to bring Belisario to this point. Something serious enough to cause this unexpected development in the middle of the season.

Something that has to be addressed now, and hopefully, for good.

-- Steve Dilbeck