:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24390393/20131012_jla_ac1_660.0.jpg)
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers in a somewhat surprising move on Monday did not tender a contract to relief pitcher Ronald Belisario, making him a free agent.
Monday at 9 p.m. PT was the deadline to tender contracts to all unsigned players for 2014, which is essentially the first wave of decision days for arbitration-eligible players.
The right-hander made $1.5 million in 2013, including $50,000 as a bonus for appearing in 70 games. He likely would have made in the $2 million range through salary arbitration.
Belisario, who turns 31 on Dec. 31, was 5-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 2013, with 49 strikeouts and 28 walks (10 intentional free passes) in 68 innings. Belisario appeared in a career-high 77 games, three shy of the major league lead.
He has had up-and-down years with the Dodgers, and that doesn't even include missing the entire 2011 season with visa problems following a positive test for cocaine. His ERA fluctuated from 2.04 to 5.04 to 2.54 to 3.97, and his strikeout rate has fluctuated from 21.4% to 16.3% to 24.1% to 16.3%.
The Dodgers tendered contracts to their other arbitration-eligible players, Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen and A.J. Ellis. On Friday, the Dodgers reached agreements with a trio of non-tender candidates, signing Mike Baxter, Drew Butera and Scott Elbert.
The Dodgers now have 34 players on the 40-man roster.