Chad Billingsley has successful elbow surgery to repair torn flexor tendon

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley had successful surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow on Tuesday, the Dodgers announced on Thursday.

The procedure was performed by Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, and Billingsley is expected to begin his rehabilitation process in two weeks.

The expected recovery for Billingsley is eight months, which would have the right-hander ready right around the time pitchers and catchers begin to report to spring training in late February.

Billingsley tore his flexor tendon while recovering from Tommy John surgery, an injury that has limited him to just two major league starts after August 2012. Billingsley said last week the percentages weren't in his favor had he decided to rehab the flexor tendon tear without surgery, and that surgery was his best option to be ready to pitch a full season in 2015.

"I'm flustered. I didn't want to have to spend two years in rehab. The season's down the drain again," Billingsley said last week, before a heavy sigh. "But that's how it goes."

Billingsley, who turns 30 on July 29, is 81-61 with a 3.65 ERA in 219 games, including 190 starts, over eight seasons with the Dodgers. He was their first-round pick in the 2003 draft, pick No. 24 overall.

He is making $12 million in 2014, the final season of a three-year contract signed before the 2012 season. Billingsley has a $14 million club option for 2015, with a $3 million buyout.

Billingsley's 190 starts with the Dodgers are the fourth-most by a pitcher drafted and signed by the Dodgers, behind Orel Hershiser (309 starts, 1979 draft), Bob Welch (267, 1977) and Clayton Kershaw (193, 2006).