Phillies Notes: Phillies' Billingsley ahead of comeback schedule

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Chad Billingsley on Friday morning took another step toward once again starting major-league baseball games. After pitching what amounted to two simulated innings with a short break in between, the veteran righthander said his arm felt "great."

Before he is able to toe the rubber in Grapefruit League games, Billingsley, 30, will first need to pitch to live hitters in batting practice. That could happen in the next seven to 10 days. His next bullpen session is slated for Monday.

"I think I'm ahead of schedule, honestly," said Billingsley, working his way back from shoulder surgeries in each of the last two years. "I didn't really know where I was going to be because, I mean, when I got down here and discussed the whole plan, it was mostly kind of playing it by ear.

"I threw 50 pitches my last time [in the bullpen] and [my] arm felt great the next day. So just keep progressing right there and keep feeling good and no hiccups or any problems. We're heading in the right direction."

Billingsley, who signed last month for one year, $1.5 million, has started just two big-league games since 2012. The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2013 and an operation on his right flexor tendon last June.

Pitching coach Bob McClure noted after Friday's session that the righthander's arm is "way ahead of where I thought it was going to be."

A day after manager Ryne Sandberg praised lefthander Jesse Biddle, McClure was asked his take on the 2010 first-round draft pick. The Germantown Friends graduate is entering a pivotal season after a struggle-filled 2014.

"Very impressive. Very good," the Phillies' pitching coach said. "When you have that type of arm and then you see a guy be able to control everything, it's fun to watch. Of course it's not to Cliff Lee or Cole Hamels yet, but I mean, you could see it getting there someday possibly if he goes about everything right. It's impressive to watch."

Te only other pitcher yet to throw live batting practice is Jonathan Pettibone. The 24-year-old righthander underwent shoulder surgery in June.

- Jake Kaplan