If a hitter can go on a horrible slump and get out of it, I'd assume a pitcher can as well. The problem is, when a hitter slumps, the worse he can do is ground into a double play and kill a rally. A pitcher can implode and cost you multiple runs and games. It becomes worse when it's a pitcher who we've relied on so heavily. Also, when a hitter slumps, maybe you move him down in the order, let him get a few hits and work his way out of it. With a pitcher, you have to be more careful. Hes just as likely to give up runs in the 5th as he is the 8th. So what to do? You can't sit him, or he gets rusty, and doesnt get the chance to work himself out of it. You can't keep putting him in key situations, or you lose ballgames. Do we use him as a mop up man for a little while while he gets his act together? Then who do we use for the 7th or the 8th? Wuertz, Cotts, and Ascanio havnt proven they can do any better. Howrys been doing better, but we don't want Lou doing to him what he may have already done to Marmol. I'm all for giving Hectro Carasco a go of it. Kick someone off the 40 man. If it doesnt work out, DFA him, and go to plan B.