Florida Marlins Belisario was signed by the
Florida Marlins as a 16-year-old amateur
free agent in 1998, playing in the rookie-class
Venezuelan Summer League in 2000 and rookie-class
Gulf Coast League in 2001. He played with various "A" ball teams in 2003–04. He was placed on the Marlins
40 man roster in September 2004 but missed the 2005 season because of undergoing
Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He also missed the 2006 season because of an unspecified suspension.
Pittsburgh Pirates After missing two seasons he returned to the mound in the
Pittsburgh Pirates farm system in 2007 and remained in the Pirates system for 2008, finally being promoted to AA with the
Altoona Curve.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2009 He signed a minor league contract with an invitation to
spring training with the
Los Angeles Dodgers for 2009. He was late in showing up for spring training because of some
visa problems in his home country, so did not get a chance to compete until late in the spring. However, he pitched well in the last few spring training games and was added to the Dodgers
opening day roster on April 6, 2009. Belisario made his Major League debut on April 7, working one scoreless inning as a
relief pitcher against the
San Diego Padres. He pitched in 69 games for the Dodgers out of the bullpen in 2009, finishing 4–3 with a 2.04 ERA and 64 strikeouts.
2010 Belisario was expected to be on the Dodgers opening day roster for 2010, but again had visa problems in Venezuela. His status was complicated by a
driving under the influence charge that had been filed against him in
Pasadena, California. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge through his attorney but did not report to spring training until March 27, at which point he was placed on the restricted list. He did not rejoin the Dodgers until April 21. On July 7, 2010, Belisario was again placed on the restricted list by the Dodgers for unknown reasons. He eventually rejoined the team on August 10. He finished the season 3–1 with a high 5.04 ERA in 55 innings worked.
2011 For the third year in a row, Belisario did not report on time for spring training in 2011 due to problems in Venezuela. The team reported that he would be absent "indefinitely" and that they did not know when, or even if, he would report for the 2011 season. He was placed on the restricted list to start the season and on April 19, it was revealed that he would not receive a visa in 2011. On December 20, 2011, Belisario's agent stated that he had gotten a five-year visa and would be in Arizona on time for the start of 2012 spring training. However, it was also revealed that he would have to serve a 25-game suspension at the start of the season for an unspecified violation of MLB's drug policy. In February, Belisario admitted that he had not been able to obtain a visa in 2011 because he had tested positive for
cocaine, which had also led to his suspension.
2012 After serving his suspension, and a handful of minor league appearances, Belisario finally rejoined the Dodgers when he was activated off the restricted list on May 3, 2012. He went on to pitch in 68 games for the Dodgers with an 8–1 record and 2.54 ERA.
2013 In March 2013 he represented
Venezuela at the
2013 World Baseball Classic. He was suspended for one game on June 14 as a result of his actions during a
bench-clearing brawl with the
Arizona Diamondbacks on June 11. Belisario appeared in a team high 77 games for the Dodgers in 2013, and was 5–7 with a 3.97 ERA. After the season, Belisario was non-tendered by the Dodgers, becoming a free agent.
Chicago White Sox On December 5, 2013, Belisario signed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the
Chicago White Sox.
2014 On May 20, Belisario earned his first save as a member of the White Sox. The next day, Belisario was named the new White Sox closer, after it was announced that former closer
Matt Lindstrom would need ankle surgery. On May 24, Belisario entered a game in which the White Sox lead the
New York Yankees 3–0, after 8 shutout innings by starter
John Danks. However, things would quickly go south, as Belisario gave up 3 runs off 4 hits. The White Sox would go to the bottom of the 9th inning now tied 3-3, as Belisario was hailed with boos leaving the field. The Yankees would go on to win the game 4–3 in 10 innings. Despite Belisario's collapse, White Sox manager
Robin Ventura remained confident with Belisario as the closer. However, in a game against the
Cleveland Indians on May 26, Belisario was passed up on a save opportunity in favor of fellow reliever
Scott Downs. Belisario was designated for assignment by the White Sox on November 20, 2014. He elected free agency on November 28, 2014.
Tampa Bay Rays On January 31, 2015, Belisario signed a minor league contract with the
Tampa Bay Rays. It had been reported on January 29 that Belisario had agreed to a minor league contract with the
Toronto Blue Jays, but the deal fell through for unknown reasons. He made six appearances for Tampa Bay, recording a 7.88 ERA with six strikeouts over eight innings of work. On July 4, Belisario was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A
Durham Bulls; he elected free agency after clearing waivers.
Boston Red Sox On July 12, 2015, Belisario signed a minor league contract with the
Boston Red Sox. On August 4, Belisario was released by the Red Sox.
Leones de Yucatán On February 16, 2017, Belisario signed with the
Leones de Yucatán of the
Mexican League for the 2017 season. On the year, he logged a 6–4 record and 2.83 ERA with 40 strikeouts in innings of work. In 2018, Belisario pitched in 23 games, recording a 3–0 record and 1.50 ERA in 24 innings pitched. In 2019 for Yucatán, Belisario pitched to a 3–7 record and 5.40 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 43 appearances for the club. Belisario was released by the team on February 14, 2020.
Piratas de Campeche On June 8, 2021, Belisario signed with the
Piratas de Campeche of the
Mexican League. In 21 relief appearances, Belisario posted a 2–1 record with a 4.30 ERA and 16 strikeouts. He was released following the season on October 20. ==Pitching style==