2015 Phillies Rotation Candidates

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Billingsley is the most talented of the pitchers vying for a 2015 Phillies rotation slot.

(Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

30-year old Chad Billingsley has parts of 8 big league seasons under his belt, including a 2004 NL All-Star season. From 2007-12 he won in double-digits each season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and made at least 25 starts every year from 2008-12.

But it all began to fall apart physically for Billingsley when he experienced elbow pain after opening the 2013 season with two effective starts. He required Tommy John surgery, did his rehab, and began a comeback in preparation for the 2014 season. However, he began to experience discomfort again, and was found to need surgery on his flexor tendon.

This knocked him out for the entire season. Basically, Billingsley has missed two straight full seasons, and has not pitched regularly since spring training of 2013. Talent and pedigree-wise, he is at the front of this group of rotation candidates. Now it’s all about Billingsley proving he is healthy.

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