While we may be gnashing our teeth wishing that we had Howie back at the keystone sack, let's examine how our most competitive division rivals are faring:
-Milton Bradley (DL, left hamstring) and Nick Swisher are still out until later this week (the latter actually saddens me since he's on my fantasy team)
-Mark Kotsay (DL, back surgery) will be out until the All-Star break
-Everyone's least favorite clown, Bobby Kielty (DL, left calf) will be out until later this month
-Esteban Loaiza (DL, right trapezius) will be out at least until late May
-Rich Harden (DL, right shoulder) will be out at least ten more days after Dr. Lewis Yocum (does he service all of baseball!? I thought he was our guy) advised more rest
-Mike Piazza (right shoulder) will be out 4-6 weeks after diving into third base to avoid a tag today against the Red Sox
Let's see, that's the team's prospective ace (more likely a very good number 2 behind Haren), their number 3 starter, their starting left, right and centerfielders, their designated hitter, and their fourth outfielder.
The question I really want to ask: how long until long-time punching bag Bobby Crosby joins his compadres on the IV loveline?
Granted our boys are lacking one slumping GA, and apparently Izzy will also be making a trip to the old DL. While they will be missed, I think we can all agree that the injury situation could be much worse. Just look at the poor green and gold bastards up the 5--they might as well run a full-time triage center at McAfee.