Chris Capuano will likely need season-ending surgery on his already Tommy Johned left elbow, leaving the Brewers' starting rotation in dire need of an add-a-lefty-otomy.

Despite major struggles in the second half of 2007, Capuano would probably have been the team's fifth starter since he is the lone starting lefthander.

Lefty Manny Parra now has the inside track for the fifth spot but, as evidenced by his shaky performance today, he might still need a month or so in Nashville before he's Major League ready.

If Ben Sheets stays healthy and has a monster (contract) year, Jeff Suppan reverts to the form he displayed with the Cardinals, and Yovani Gallardo comes back strong from his injury and pitches up to his potential, uncertainty at the back end of the rotation won't be quite so problematic, but Capuano's injury robs the Brewers of flexibility.

Cappy could have been a starter or long reliever, but now the team will have to rely solely on Randy Choate and Brian Shouse.

In the grand scheme of things, Capuano's injury isn't devastating, but it is a significant setback for a team that already has mounting questions on the mound.