May 5 -- MADSON TO DL; HOWARD TO BENCH

SAN FRANCISCO -- Already shorthanded in their bullpen after closer Tom Gordon went on the disabled list yesterday, the Phillies put right-hander Ryan Madson on the DL with a strained oblique in his left side. Madson will return to Philly tomorrow to begin treatment. Right-hander Clay Condrey is on his way from triple-A Ottawa.

That leaves Condrey, Fabio Castro, Francisco Rosario, Yoel Hernandez, Geoff Geary, Antonio Alfonseca and Brett Myers in the Phillies' bullpen. Sounds like a lot of two-inning saves for Myers, doesn't it?

***

Slumping Ryan Howard isn't in the lineup today against Giants left-hander Noah Lowry, primarily because he's batting only .135 (5-for-37) with two home runs and eight RBIs against lefties this season. Charlie Manuel said Howard will be in the lineup tomorrow night against touted Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum. But Howard told me his left quadriceps muscle remains stiff and sore, especially after he tried to score from second base last night.

"If rest is going to make it better, that's what I've got to do," he said. "I trust the trainers. Whatever they say. One thing you don't want to do is make it worse."

***

Three minor-league notes: Bradley Key, one of the players acquired by the Phillies in the Jeff Conine trade Dec. 21, was released. ... Michael Garciaparra, Nomar's brother, was demoted from double-A Reading to single-A Clearwater. ... Starting play Saturday, Ottawa still had only one homer.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!