Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chad Billingsley has a partial tear in his right flexor tendon

Chad Billingsley‘s luck can’t get any worse.

In September of 2012, it was discovered that he had a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. The Los Angeles Dodgers elected to aggressively treat it with injections of platelet-rich plasma. The hopes were that Tommy John surgery could be avoided, and Billingsley would be available for the 2013 season.

He was available, in a sense, as Billingsley began the 2013 season in the Dodgers starting rotation. He pitched in a total of two games, hurling all of 12 innings. The injections apparently had not worked as hoped, and the decision was made for Billingsley to undergo the TJ procedure. Now the hope shifted to Billingsley returning and contributing by no later than this year’s All-Star Game.

Well, that might now be in jeopardy.

During a Wednesday bullpen session, Billingsley felt some discomfort in his surgically repaired elbow. He did finish the session, but not a full strength. Yesterday, an MRI was performed and the results are in. They’re not promising.

The team’s Twitter also revealed that Billingsley and Dr. Neal ElAttrache will discuss further treatment options. The team will provide more information as it becomes available.

According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, while on an April rehab assignment, Billingsley also experienced discomfort. That diagnosis was tendinitis along with tearing of scar tissue. A second rehab start was made this past Sunday, then the issue during Wednesday’s bullpen.

In March of 2011, Billingsley and the Dodgers agreed to a three-yer, $35 million deal. This is the last year of that deal. The Dodgers do hold a club option for $14 million with a $3 million buyout.