Sports

Billingsley chose platelet-rich plasma injections and rehab over Tommy John surgery for a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. He threw many times over the winter, including a simulated game in November when he was clocked at 94 mph. "I feel normal," said Billingsley. "There wasn't a time in the offseason when I felt like I didn't know if it would hold up. I know some people think it's an issue, but I don't. I came to spring training not worried about it." While things are encouraging at the moment, Billingsley isn't guaranteed a spot in the rotation even if his elbow holds up, as Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang and Ted Lilly are also options for the No. 5 spot.