Chad Billingsley was hoping to make it back from Tommy John surgery this season, but now he’ll have to wait until 2015 for the opportunity to throw another pitch in the major leagues.
Billinsgley was diagnosed with a partial tear of his flexor tendon last week after complaining of elbow soreness during his minor league rehab assignment. According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, he has opted to undergo surgery to fix the tear. It will end his season, as the expectation is that he won’t throw for three months and won’t be game-ready for six months. He could be ready for the start of 2015 if all goes well.
Billingsley was originally drafted by the Dodgers in 2003 and owns a 3.65 ERA over 190 starts and 29 relief appearances in the majors, but he could find himself on the free agent market this winter. Given his recent health issues, the Dodgers will likely decline his $14 million option for next season and pay him a $3 million buyout.
