What now, Rafi?

I love Rafael Furcal and what he brings to the Dodgers. He is a very gifted shortstop defensively and one of the best leadoff guys in the game. While his OBP isn't outstanding, his batting average, his ability to get extra base hits, and his speed more than make up for it. His consistently over .700 OPS is superior for a finesse-hitting leadoff type, who most years hits single-digits in homers. When healthy, he is good for 30 SB, and he doesn't get caught that much. I emphasie WHEN HEALTHY. He broke his thumb, and it looks like it will keep him out 4 to 6 weeks, and an obviously frustrated Furcal was actually talking retirement. It's tough because the guy is pretty well into his 30's, and is looking at probably his third in the last four seasons to be seriously shortened by injury. He's not half-assing it, and you can only relate to his frustration. His agent is dismissing the retirement talk, which is good. Even if healthy for 60% or half of the season, he is a great table-setter, a fine middle infielder and is surely a nice professional presence in a very young clubhouse. No Rafi is bad for the lineup, though. Jamey Carroll will surely do a decent job, but he doesn't have Furcal's athleticism and his absence robs the Dodgers bench of it's depth. There are no other table-setter-types in the lineup full of middling power guys. James Loney is in a slump, Juan Uribe and Casey Blake are power guys, as are Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Rod Barajas and whoever is in left field not named Tony Gwynn. Gwynn just doesn't hit enough. Ivan De Jesus is too young and Dee Gordon is not ready. Hurry back Rafi, don't retire, we really need you this year.