LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers have known for a few days that it was unlikely Chad Billingsley would pitch again in 2012.

The next question is whether they'll see him in 2013.

The team transferred Billingsley to the 60-day disabled list Wednesday, eliminating the possibility he could return from an elbow injury this season. Doctors continue to try rehab and injections of platelet-rich plasma into the right-hander's elbow, in hopes he can avoid Tommy John surgery, which would cost Billingsley all of next season.

He should know in the coming weeks whether a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament will heal on its own or whether he'll need surgery.

"I can be optimistic," Billingsley said. "I don't want to miss a year. I don't like that."

Billingsley felt an immediate sensation of tightening in his elbow while making a pitch against the Miami Marlins on Aug. 24. He was on one of the best rolls of his career at the time, having won six consecutive starts. Billingsley, the Dodgers' No. 2 starter, was 10-9 with a 3.55 ERA in 25 starts this season.

"It stinks it happens when you're in a groove," Billingsley said. "Those don't come around very often."

The Dodgers recalled 21-year-old left-handed reliever Steven Rodriguez from Double-A Chattanooga on Wednesday.