Chad Billingsley, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ No. 2 starter, will miss the rest of the season because of pain in his elbow.
The left-hander was placed on the 60-day disabled list by the Dodgers on Wednesday.
Billingsley, 10-9 with a 3.55 ERA in 25 starts this season, went 6-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his final seven outings. He received a second platelet-rich plasma injection on Wednesday with the hope he could remain in the rotation as the Dodgers chase a postseason berth.
Billingsley won’t pick up a ball again for at least two weeks, and could face Tommy John elbow surgery if there are any setbacks in his rehabilitation.
The pitcher has averaged 162 strikeouts a season over the past six years.
The Dodgers selected the contract of left-handed reliever Steven Rodriguez from Double-A Chattanooga to replace Billingsley.
ANGELS’ WEAVER HAS ARM RE-EXAMINED
Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver has returned to Southern California for further examination of his bruised right arm and will likely miss his next scheduled start Friday against Detroit.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia said before Wednesday’s series finale in Oakland that Weaver was back in the Los Angeles area to have his arm checked by Dr. Lewis Yocum. With a day off in the schedule today, each pitcher could slide up a day in the rotation on regular rest.
Weaver was struck on the right arm by a line drive from Dustin Ackley’s bat in the fifth inning of his loss Sunday at Seattle.
MORE MINOR LEAGUERS SUSPENDED
Two minor leaguers have been suspended for violating baseball’s drug program a day after three minor-league pitchers were suspended for the same violation.
The commissioner’s office announced Wednesday that Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Brito and New York Mets outfielder Hengelbert Rojas, both of the Dominican Summer League, have each been banned for 50 games. Their penalties will take effect at the start of next season.
Brito tested positive for metabolites of Stanozolol. Rojas tested positive for metabolites of Stanozolol and Nandrolone.
There have been 90 suspensions under the minor league drug program this year.
SHORT HOPS
The Padres announced they have reached an agreement with outfielder Chris Denorfia on a two-year contract that runs through the 2014 season. … Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte threw 16 pitches to hitters in a simulated game for the first time since breaking his left ankle in late June. Also, the team announced the earliest return of Mark Teixeira, out with a strained left calf, would be Saturday. … Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero will skip his scheduled start Saturday at Boston and will pitch Sept. 12 against Seattle. … Former major-league pitcher Roger Clemens will pitch to his oldest son, catcher Koby Clemens, on Friday when the seven-time Cy Young Award winner makes his second start for the independent Sugar Land Skeeters. … Rangers TV announcer Dave Barnett, who has not been on the air since his rambling comments during a game in June, will be the broadcast announcer for a North Texas college football game this Saturday against Southern Texas and also on Nov. 10 against South Alabama.
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