The discomfort in Mark Prior’s elbow has returned. Even if it’s only a “stiff elbow” similar in magnitude to what kept Prior on the DL until June, that could mean a few crucial pennant-stretch weeks without the Cubs’ ace. Of course, it could be more.

This team has shown that it can still compete — if not for a division title, at least for a wild card berth — in spite of any number of injuries, including significant stints on the disabled list for the Sosa, Wood and Prior. So I don’t expect that the Cubs will fall off the face of the Earth because of this turn of events. After all, they came back to win tonight, thanks to a fine relief effort from Glendon Rusch.

As I’ve said before, the future of the Cubs as a franchise that can be a perennial World Series contender is wholly dependent on the health of their young pitchers and to a great extent on the excellence of Prior. The Marlins won the World Series last year with a big gun — A.J. Burnett — on the DL. The Cubs could do it too. It’s not impossible!

It’s much less likely, however. More depressing is the prospect that Prior’s career will be continually hampered by injuries of one sort or another.

Damn it, damn it, damn it.