Chad Billingsley Out For Season With Partially Torn UCL

• 10 months ago
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Chad Billingsley Has Partial UCL Tear, Hopes To Avoid Surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley was placed on the 60-day DL on Wednesday due to a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of his throwing arm, and now hopes that rest and rehabilitation will help him avoid off-season surgery.

When asked by reporters about the injury, Billingsley was obviously not excited about it, but was optimistic that a pair of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections last Thursday and today would help expedite the healing process in his right arm:

"There was an outside chance I would be able to get back, it wasn't very good, but I was able to hold onto that. The night they told me [I was shut down], I thought, 'Crap.' We're in a September race with a chance to make the playoffs. You always want to be a part of it, but now I have to sit and watch."

"They say it has a chance to heal, and the PRP injection should help it recover. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."

Billingsley won't touch a baseball for the next two weeks, but will do some throwing after that to see if he is healing up or if surgery will be necessary. His last outing came on Aug. 24, 2012, lasting just 3.1 innings before being removed with soreness in his elbow.

For more on Billingsley and the rest of the Dodgers, make your way over to True Blue L.A. to get in on the action.

• 10 months ago
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Dodgers Place Chad Billingsley On 60-Day DL, Out For Season

The Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to end the season of Chad Billingsley, sending him down to the 60-day disabled list today. The right-handed pitcher has had trouble with right elbow pain and hasn't pitched since August 24th. He's gone 10-9 in 25 starts but has also won his last six decisions, posting a 3.55 ERA overall. Billingsley would have returned in a relief role.

To make up for his loss, the Dodgers have brought up left-handed reliever Steven Rodriguez from Double-A Chattanooga. Rodriguez has five saves with a 0.92 ERA in 21 relief appearances. He was selected in the second round with the 82nd pick by the Dodgers out of the University of Florida and has pitched lights out at Chattanooga, allowing a batting average of .149 and striking out 22 over 13.2 innings.

Don Mattingly indicates that Billingsley will receiving an injection of platelet-rich plasma in his right elbow, and his return this season is unlikely.

Talk about Billingsley with Dodgers fans by heading on over to True Blue LA, and hit up Baseball Nation for more MLB coverage.

• 10 months ago
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Chad Billingsley Injury: Dodgers Pitcher Could End Up In Bullpen

It is becoming increasingly more likely that the Los Angeles Dodgers will not have Chad Billingsley make another start for them this season. The right-handed pitcher has been out 10 days with right elbow inflammation and still hasn't thrown a baseball, under doctor's orders.

"These last 10 days have been the most boring time that I've ever had, just doing treatment all the time. I want to be out there and pitch, but I can't try to pick up a ball. If my arm goes then I'm out for 10-12 months.," Billingsley said on Monday.

If Billingsley is cleared to start throwing soon, there may not be enough time left in the season for him to build back up his arm strength to be able to start. Which means a bullpen role could be in store for Billingsley, if he is able to return at all.

"The longer it goes, even if he starts throwing, the likelihood of seeing him again this season gets lower and lower," said manager Don Mattingly.

For now Billingsley waits, as he will meet with team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache later this week to determine whether or not a second injection of platelet-rich plasma is needed.

"The best thing for my elbow right now is getting rest. Getting the inflammation out. That's what they're doing with all the ice, and the treatment. Just letting it heal," Billingsley said. "I still want to be smart about it, but I also want to get back."

There are 26 games left in the regular season after Monday.

For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA.

• 10 months ago
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Chad Billingsley Injury Update: Dodgers P Gets PRP Injection In Right Elbow

As a last-ditch effort to see if he could be able to pitch again this season, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley received an injection of platelet-rich plasma in his right elbow Thursday, Aug. 30, according to MLB.com.

"If he's able to throw after this, he's not finished and if that's the case, he'll start a throwing program," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "If not, there's a different plan. We're trying to see if this helps. It could be something that ends up more than that."

Billingsley was moved to the disabled list last Saturday with "inflammation" in his right elbow. The Dodgers have not announced the exact nature of Billingsley's injury, but PRP injections are typically used for tears in tendons or ligaments or for treating osteoarthritis, according to MLB.com.

Dodgers CEO Stan Kasten told The Los Angeles Times in an interview Wednesday he feared Billingsley would be lost for the season. He later clarified his comments as "not based on medical evidence."

Before going down with an injury, Billingsley had gone 10-9 with a 3.55 ERA this season. His last seven starts, in particular, were impressive, as he racked up a 6-0 record and a 1.80 ERA.

For more on the Dodgers and to contribute to the discussion, head over to True Blue L.A.

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Ned Colletti: Dodgers Searching For Another Pitcher