There's been a rumor floating around the ballpark today that the Dodgers claimed Ronnie Belliard off waivers and are trying to acquire him in a trade. I just talked to a source in Los Angeles who confirmed the Dodgers' attempts to pick up the versatile infielder. No deal has been consummated yet, but here's how it all would work...

The Nationals placed Belliard on waivers sometime in the last couple days. The Dodgers put in a claim for him, at which time the Nats pulled him back. Per league rules, the two teams now have 48 hours to try to work out a trade. That's the stage we're in now, though I don't know when that 48-hour window would expire. Club personnel are strictly prohibited from commenting about anything involving waivers and can get fined for doing so.

Obviously, this is far from a done deal, but it's certainly in the works. I do know the Dodgers expressed interest in Belliard back in spring training, but the Nationals were hesitant to part with him because he figured to win the starting second base job over Felipe Lopez. Now that Emilio Bonifacio has been deemed the long-term answer there, Belliard (who is already signed for 2009 at $1.9 million) becomes more expendable.

Belliard, interestingly enough, is making only his sixth career appearance at shortstop tonight because Cristian Guzman has a sore left thumb and Alberto Gonzalez was placed on the DL earlier today with a hamstring strain.

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