Dodgers' Billingsley feeling 'great' as he recovers from injury

In less than two weeks, pitchers and catchers will start reporting to spring training and Dodgers right-hander Chad Billingsley can't wait.

Billingsley is recovering from a partially torn elbow ligament and is feeling "absolutely great."

The 28-year-old Billingsley spent the last five weeks of this past season on the disabled because of the tear. But instead of undergoing surgery that would have sidelined him for the entire 2013 season, Billingsley decided on rest and platelet-rich plasma injections to treat the injury.

He pitched simulated games in Arizona in October, rested and resumed his normal throwing program in January.

"Everything's been great," he told MLB.com. "I've had no issues, no setbacks. Everything is looking good going into spring training."

If completely healed in time for opening day, Billingsley will join a starting rotation that includes Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-jin Ryu.

Billingsley was 10-9 with a 3.55 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 128 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings last season. From July 23 to Aug. 19, he went 6-0 with a 1.30 ERA.

For his career, Billingsley is 80-61 and has double-digits wins for six straight seasons.