San Diego returned LHP Sterling Hitchcock to the disabled list on August 24th, making the span between the 33-year-old's DL stints this season a mere 20 days. His current problem is not a recurrence of either the broken rib that sent him to the DL in mid-April or the groin strain that extended that stay until August 4th. Hitchcock left his August 22nd start after only four innings due to problem with his left elbow. An MRI failed to reveal any structural damage, so the Padres are terming the injury a strain and hoping to have him back before the end of the season. Current estimates indicate he should miss between two and four weeks, though with the season drawing to a close a small setback could put him out for the year.