Following an encouraging six-inning performance in his last start, Billingsley's hopes for good health were, naturally, dashed.
Yeah, you know. Crap.
The Phillies starting pitching options were already thin - indeed, they acquired guys like Aaron Harang and Chad Billingsley to fill a few holes. Billingsley has been working to make himself ready to pitch for months, following double elbow surgeries that have kept him out of the game for a while.
His first start wasn't great, but his last one saw some signs of improvement. If he could be just okay, then he'd be doing his job.