Injured Dodgers trio takes steps forward

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley is on the comeback trail following season-ending surgery on his pitching elbow and has started a throwing program.

Billingsley is working out at the Dodgers' Spring Training facility at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. The right-hander made two starts with the Dodgers this season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in April.

Matt Kemp is also rehabbing in Arizona, and the Dodgers remain optimistic the outfielder could play in the Majors before the end of the month. Kemp ran on an anti-gravity treadmill Thursday for the second time in as many days after feeling tightness in his right hamstring last week. With the Dodgers opening a four-game series on the road against the D-backs Monday, Kemp will have a chance to be evaluated by the club's medical staff.

Chris Capuano is scheduled to test his strained left groin in a bullpen session Friday. If all goes well, the left-hander could return to the rotation for the remainder of the regular season or transition to a relief role as a likely tryout for the postseason.

"Cap has pitched out of the 'pen before, and you don't use five starters if we can get there [the postseason], so we do have to see if there's going to be value there," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

Capuano is 4-7 with a 4.46 ERA in 20 starts this season. He's made 27 relief appearances in his career, including two this year.