Chad Billingsley will receive a second injection of platelet-rich plasma into his right elbow on Wednesday, but it doesn't sound like the starting pitcher will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers anytime soon.
Billingsley left his start on Aug. 24 early with a sore elbow, and was placed on the disabled list the next day with right elbow inflammation. The injury hasn't improved, even with an initial PRP injection late last week. Billingsley hasn't thrown a baseball in the last 11 days as a precaution.
Manager Don Mattingly said on Tuesday that he was planning as if Billingsley wouldn't be able to pitch for the rest of the season.
"It's hard to think we're going to get Billingsley back for anything major at all," Mattingly said.
But what about pitching in the bullpen as a possibility for Billingsley if he wasn't able to start?
"It seems like that's going down the tubes," Mattingly said.
Billingsley on Monday was anxious to return this year, but also mindful of his long-term health.
"These last 10 days have been the most boring time that I've ever had, just doing treatment all the time," he said. "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 is 10-9 with a 3.55 ERA in 25 starts this season.
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