LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers put right-handed pitcher Chad Billingsley on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with pain in his right elbow. It is Billingsley's second trip to the DL this season with elbow discomfort.
In a way, the injury is well-timed for the Dodgers because newly acquired pitcher Josh Beckett will replace Billingsley in the Dodgers' rotation, making his debut for the team Monday in Colorado. It comes at a bad time for Billingsley, who was 6-0 in his past six starts heading into Friday night and has a 1.80 ERA since he came off the DL on July 23.
The Dodgers were hopeful they could avoid the DL for Billingsley, but after doctors reviewed the MRI results and after manager Don Mattingly visited with Billingsley, they made the move.
"He didn't seem like he was feeling very good, honestly, talking to him back there," Mattingly said. "It didn't look very good."
Billingsley is 10-9 with a 3.55 ERA. Opponents are hitting .257 against him.
The Dodgers also optioned infielder Alex Castellanos to Triple-A Albuquerque to make room on the 25-man roster for Adrian Gonzalez, who was in Saturday night's lineup batting cleanup.