Chad Billingsley Likely To Miss Just One Start For Dodgers

From the medical journal Duh, pitcher Chad Billingsley is not likely to start on Tuesday for the Dodgers, two days after getting scratched with right elbow inflammation.

"I'm doubting that he'll be the guy tomorrow," said manager Don Mattingly after Monday's loss to the Phillies.

Mattingly also said that Billingsley could miss just one start. The Dodgers could place Billingsley on the disabled list retroactive to July 8 and have him ready to start again next week in St. Louis.

"We were happy with the MRI results, but we don't want to push the panic button with him," Mattingly said.

What wasn't said is just exactly whom will start for the Dodgers on Tuesday, though Stephen Fife remains the favorite after getting scratched from his Monday start for Triple A Albuquerque. That is something we will find out on Tuesday.

Notes

• Javy Guerra could return from the bereavement list as early as Tuesday, and the reliever has been in constant contact with Mattingly via text message. But it is unknown whether Guerra will return on Tuesday. "It's kind of up in the air if he's going to be back tomorrow or not," Mattingly said after the game.
• The two home runs allowed by Nathan Eovaldi were a career high, as he had only allowed three home runs in 47 innings prior to Monday. "If you make mistakes, you get hit," said Mattingly.
  
• Tony Gwynn Jr. was belatedly credited with a steal of third base in the ninth inning, a play that was originally ruled defensive indifference. Gwynn has 12 stolen bases on the season, second on the team.
  

Up Next

Roy Halladay is scheduled to start for the Phillies on Tuesday for the first time since May 27. The identity of the Dodgers' starting pitcher has not yet been revealed, but could be Fife, Jamey Wright, John Ely, possibly even Billingsley, or someone else.