Dodgers notes: Chad Billingsley dealing with normal soreness

PHOENIX -- After throwing curveballs off a mound for the first time since he underwent reconstructive elbow surgery, Chad Billingsley felt soreness in his forearm Saturday night. Naturally, he was worried.

But the trainers told him not to be concerned. He was supposed to be sore.

“I’ve never had surgery in the elbow,” Billingsley said. “You almost forget what it’s like to throw, the soreness and stuff.”

Billingsley threw 30 consecutive pitches in his latest bullpen session, rather than two sets of 15 as he had previously done.

Billingsley said he will play catch Sunday and remains in line to throw his next bullpen session Tuesday.

In other news, outfielder Yasiel Puig will bat leadoff for the first time this spring when the Dodgers host the San Diego Padres in an exhibition game at noon PST. The game will be veteran pitcher Josh Beckett’s first since he underwent surgery to remove a rib to alleviate a nerve problem.

The Dodgers lineup:

Yasiel Puig CF
Andre Ethier RF
Hanley Ramirez SS
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
Juan Uribe 3B
Joc Pederson LF
Tim Federowicz C
Alex Guerrero 2B
Justin Turner DH