Dodgers’ Chad Billingsley skips start because of sore elbow

Chad Billingsley’s challenging season took another rough turn when he was scratched from Sunday’s start for the Dodgers because of a sore right elbow.

As Chris Capuano pitched instead, Billingsley was having an MRI exam that showed “elbow inflammation,” the Dodgers said, adding that more testing was scheduled for Monday.

Billingsley has struggled to be consistent this season, with a record of 4-9 and an earned-run average of 4.30, highest among Dodgers starters.

Asked how long the elbow might have been bothering Billingsley, Manager Don Mattingly said the pitcher told him “it’s been going on a little bit, but he looked at it as normal stuff.”

In a brief meeting with reporters after Sunday’s game, Billingsley said “I wanted to be out there today and I thought I could have, but it’s more being cautious and not making it a more serious situation.

“I’m pretty optimistic it’s not too serious.”

Billingsley has lost his last five decisions. During that span, he gave up 20 earned runs in 29 innings for a 6.21 ERA.

Mattingly said the situation showed again how some players are reluctant to disclose real or potential injuries.

“My only issue with it all, and I talked to Chad about it, is not letting somebody know so we can be paying attention to this thing,” Mattingly said.

Some players “will just hold it in, thinking they’ll be fine, and we all do it,” Mattingly said, adding that they stay silent “thinking they’re being tough or being a gamer and they end up costing themselves.”

Mattingly said he did not find out about Billingsley’s pain until after Saturday night’s game. He then moved up Capuano’s start by a day because the left-hander had plenty of rest. Capuano’s last start, before the All-Star break, was a week earlier.

The Dodgers said Nathan Eovaldi will start Monday against Joe Blanton in the first of a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium.

But the Dodgers were undecided about Tuesday’s starter. The Phillies said that two-time Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay will come off the disabled list and start Tuesday.

Matt Kemp gets a rest

After knocking out five hits in his first two games since coming off the disabled list, Matt Kemp wanted to play again Sunday. Mattingly said no.

“He fought me” over the decision, Mattingly said of the slugging center fielder, who’s batting .369. But the manager held his ground, wanting to rest Kemp after his return from sitting out 51 games because of a strained left hamstring.

Despite Kemp’s hits since returning, Mattingly said, “to me [Kemp] looks like he’s being a little cautious” on the field, “which I think is natural” with hamstring problems.

But after Sunday’s day off, “we’ll let him roll,” Mattingly said.

james.peltz@latimes.com