Chad Billingsley, a right-handed pitcher, began his Major League Baseball career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Drafted in the first round of the 2003 MLB Draft, Billingsley quickly rose through the ranks of the Dodgers' minor league system. His major league debut came on June 15, 2006, against the San Diego Padres. In his rookie season, he appeared in 16 games, starting 16 of them, and posted a 3.80 ERA, showing promise as a young pitcher.
In 2007, Billingsley transitioned from the bullpen to the starting rotation, where he solidified his role as a starter. That year, he pitched in 31 games, starting 20, and recorded a 3.31 ERA with 141 strikeouts over 147 innings. His performance helped the Dodgers reach the postseason, where he made two appearances in the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Chicago Cubs.
The 2008 season marked a significant step forward for Billingsley. He became one of the Dodgers' most reliable starters, finishing the season with a 16-10 record and a 3.14 ERA. He struck out 201 batters over 200.2 innings, earning him a spot in the All-Star Game. In the postseason, Billingsley started three games, including two in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Billingsley continued to be a mainstay in the Dodgers' rotation over the next few years. In 2009, he posted a 12-11 record with a 4.03 ERA and 179 strikeouts. Despite some struggles with consistency, he remained an integral part of the team's pitching staff. The 2010 season saw him bounce back with a 12-11 record and a 3.57 ERA, once again surpassing 170 strikeouts.
Injuries began to affect Billingsley's career in the early 2010s. In 2012, he was placed on the disabled list with elbow pain, which limited him to 25 starts. Despite the setback, he managed a 10-9 record with a 3.55 ERA. Unfortunately, the elbow issues persisted, and in 2013, Billingsley underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire season.
After a lengthy recovery, Billingsley attempted a comeback with the Dodgers in 2014 but faced setbacks and did not pitch in the majors that year. In 2015, he signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, hoping to revitalize his career. He made seven starts for the Phillies, finishing with a 2-3 record and a 5.84 ERA before being sidelined again due to shoulder issues.
Billingsley's career was marked by moments of brilliance and challenges with injuries. Over his time in the majors, he compiled a 81-61 record with a 3.72 ERA and 1,037 strikeouts in 1,175.1 innings pitched.
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