Chad Billingsley On DL With Right Elbow Pain, Shane Victorino Scratched

On the day the Dodgers acquired a slugging first baseman in Adrian Gonzalez, starting pitcher Josh Beckett may prove to be quite important to the trade as well. Chad Billingsley has landed on the disabled list with right elbow pain.

Billingsley exited Friday's game in the fourth inning, and spent 15 days on the disabled list in July for the same injury. He was 6-0 with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts since returning from the DL. An MRI taken Friday revealed inflammation in the elbow, but Billingsley said he would have to wait until Saturday to see how he felt the day after.

"From what the doc told me it's just inflammation, and that's a relief for me," he said Friday. "I'm going to wake up tomorrow morning, get some treatment, and see where we're at."

To make room for Gonzalez, Beckett, and Nick Punto on the active roster, the Dodgers also optioned Alex Castellanos to Triple A Albuquerque. To create space on the 40-man roster, Jerry Hairston Jr. was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

Beckett, who will make his Dodgers debut on Monday at Coors Field, will wear number 30 with the Dodgers. Manager Don Mattingly said he was unconcerned with Beckett's 5.23 ERA and 5-11 record, and reports of decreased velocity.

"He can throw the ball where he wants, and can change speeds," Mattingly said. "He's pitched a ton of big games."

General manager Ned Colletti added, "You can't look at our rotation and tell me we don't need Josh Beckett."

Especially now.

Gonzalez will wear number 23, with Punto taking James Loney's old number 7.

Starting Lineups

Shane Victorino was originally in the starting lineup, but was a late scratch with lower back stiffness, an injury he suffered late in Friday's game against the Marlins. Juan Rivera starts in left field for the Dodgers instead on Saturday. Mark Ellis moves up to leadoff, with Luis Cruz batting second.

Game Time: 6:10 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday