Dodgers put Billingsley on DL

LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers have put right-hander Chad Billingsley on the 15-day disabled list because of right elbow inflammation.

"I'll probably throw a bullpen Friday, and I'm looking to start on Monday," Billingsley said. "So I'll just be missing one start. You never want to miss a start but you have to sometimes. It's for the best."

Billingsley, whose move was retroactive to July 8, is 4-9 with a 4.30 ERA in 18 starts this season. He's eligible to return from the DL on July 23.

"He's basically missing a turn," manager Don Mattingly said. "He'll be ready for St. Louis on Monday. We were just being cautious and we didn't feel like we could send him out there without getting his elbow looked at. It was more us than him."

The team recalled Stephen Fife from Triple A-Albuquerque to start Tuesday night against Philadelphia in his major league debut. The 25-year-old right-hander was 7-5 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 starts with the Isotopes. He last pitched July 6 against Round Rock, allowing 2 hits in 7.0 scoreless innings of a 10-1 win.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder was acquired by the Dodgers in a four-player trade with Boston at last year's trade deadline and made two appearances for them during spring training.

Updated July 17, 2012