Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Chad Billingsley has a partially torn on our collateral ligament that will require Tommy John surgery. Billingsley was placed in the 15 day disabled list with pain in his right elbow earlier this week.
Billingsley opted for rehabilitation program instead of surgery last August and made two starts this year pitching 12 innings to a 3.00 ERA before the inflammation showed up again. Billingsley began feeling increased tightness and pain in his elbow in his last bullpen session, according to the team.
Billingsley will miss the remainder of the 2013 season and at this point the beginning of the 2014 season is in jeopardy. The Dodgers rotation was seen as a strength when the season began, with eight potential starters on the roster but injuries to Zack Greinke, Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly and now Billingsley have decimated the staff. Lily makes his return to the rotation tomorrow.
