Billingsley (elbow) will pitch in a minor league game Saturday, Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports. Billingsley will pitch in a game for the first time this spring, bringing him one step closer to a return to the major leagues. The Phillies previously said that Billingsley could join the big-league rotation by the end of April.

Billingsley (elbow) threw a scuccessful bullpen session Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. "Exceptional," Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said about Billingsley's bullpen. "You would never know he was hurt. It's quality stuff. It really is." McClure said Billingsley could throw two or three more live batting practice sessions before the Phillies get him into game action. The team said he could be ready to join the rotation before the end of April given his progress to this point.

Billingsley (elbow) threw live batting practice Tuesday for the first time this spring, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Billingsley is coming back from surgery in June to repair his flexor tendon. The Phillies hope he will be able to pitch in games before the end of spring training. He is expected to spend at least a portion of the first month of the season on the disabled list in order to get more innings on a rehab assignment.

Billingsley (elbow) is tentatively scheduled to pitch live batting practice early next week, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. It is an important step as the Phillies will likely schedule Billingsley to pitch in a game 10 days to two weeks after he throws live batting practice.

Billingsley (elbow) called himself ahead of schedule after throwing two simulated innings Friday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Billingsley will not pitch in a Grapefruit League game until after he pitches to live hitters in batting practice. That could happen in seven to 10 days. He will throw his next bullpen session Monday.

Billingsley "looked really good" in his side session 3-to-4 days ago and will be evaluated as spring training goes along, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.Billingsley was initially slated to return at the end of April, but it appears he could be progressing towards and earlier date. "He looked real good in his side (session) and he feels good," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "I think there will be a little bit of a build up there as he has his sides and gets into spring training games. In some regards it's hard to gauge right now; it's just evaluating him as he goes." Billingsley signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Phillies in the offseason, and could be an option for the starting rotation in 2015 if he can remain healthy and regain his form from before the injury.

The Phillies do not expect Billingsley (elbow) to be ready to pitch in the majors until late April or early May, the team's official site reports. Billingsley is recovering from right flexor tendon surgery that he had last June. He could join the Phillies' rotation when healthy and is a candidate to be traded midseason.

Billingsley (elbow) has reached an agreement to sign with the Phillies, mlb.com's Todd Zolecki reports. After missing the entire 2014 season in the wake of April 2013 Tommy John surgery, Billingsley will hope to take the mound in a game for the first time in nearly two years. He underwent flexor tendon surgery back in June, and while the questions about his health are obviously substantial, Billingsley did well to land with a team that lacks depth in the rotation. Health permitting, he figures to compete for a spot in the starting rotation.

The Phillies are showing serious interest in signing Billingsley (elbow), CSN Philly reports. Billingsley has missed most of the last two seasons due to elbow problems. He is reportedly health and is a worthwhile gamble for the rebuilding Phillies.

Billingsley's option for 2015 was declined by the Dodgers on Friday, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports. Billingsley was owed $14 million but the Dodgers decided to pay the buyout of $3 million instead. He is now a free agent and can shop his services elsewhere.