Ronald Belisario pitches simulated game, but his return remains unknown

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If you want to discover how a good mystery pans out, pick up a Michael Connelly novel.

Want to know how the mystery of Ronald Belisario plays out, you’ll just have to stick around. Answers are still not forthcoming.

Belisario has been on the restricted list since July 7, without nary a word of explanation. He reportedly entered a substance-abuse program.

But Belisario made his first appearance before the media, and the Dodgers, prior to Thursday’s game, throwing a 25-pitch simulated game.

After watching him, manager Joe Torre gave him a positive review: ‘That was good. And he seemed to be in a good place just talking to him.’

So good that Torre said Belisario is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab outing on Saturday. So good, that Torre thinks he could be ready in a week to 10 days.

Of course, this being Belisario, nothing is ever that simple.

Whatever issue that drove him to the restricted list apparently has not been resolved.

Belisario did not talk to the media after his workout, other than to tell The Times’ Dylan Hernandez he could not say where he’d been for the past month.

‘I can’t talk about that yet,’ Belisario said.

General Manager Ned Colletti said it was uncertain when Belisario could return.

‘We’ll see,’’ Colletti said. ‘Some of it is out of our control.’

Belisario was arrested in June 2009 in Pasadena for driving under the influence. Because of pending charges, he arrived to spring training a month late and missed the first two weeks of the season.

Belisario ended up pleading guilty to a lesser, non-alcohol reckless-driving charge and had to complete a drug and alcohol education program by Sept. 8.

The Dodgers have refused to say why Belisario left the team in July. Torre said he still hasn’t been told why. All he knows, he said, is that he looked good Thursday and physically could return soon.

‘From what I saw today; again, it all depends on the restricted list stuff, more than his ability to play, I’m guessing,’ he said. ‘So when I’m told it’s OK to plan on him, I’ll let you know.’

-- Steve Dilbeck