Phillies' Billingsley not expected to be ready until late April

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Chad Billingsley's long journey back to a major league mound following a pair of elbow surgeries is set to last another two months.

The 30-year-old has thrown just 12 innings in the past two years and isn't expected to be ready to pitch for the Phillies until late April, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. 

After four straight seasons of making at least 30 starts, the rigors of pitching so many innings began to wear on Billingsley's elbow. He missed 36 games in 2012 with a partial tear in his UCL. Rather than undergo surgery, Billingsley opted for rest and rehab, however the tear returned and he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery. While rehabbing, he experienced elbow discomfort and was forced to undergo surgery once again.

Billingsley agreed to a one-year, $1.5-million deal with the Phillies in January and is expected to challenge for a spot at the back of the rotation when he is fit to return.

His progress throughout his rehab this spring has been encouraging. 

"I think I'm ahead of schedule, honestly," Billingsley told Jake Kaplan of the Philadelphia Enquirer on Saturday. "I didn't really know where I was going to be because, I mean, when I got down here and discussed the whole plan, it was mostly kind of playing it by ear.

"I threw 50 pitches my last time (in the bullpen) and (my) arm felt great the next day. So just keep progressing right there and keep feeling good and no hiccups or any problems. We're heading in the right direction."