The Astros have turned to ex-St. Francis High standout Mark Loretta, a two-time All-Star, to help anchor the middle of the infield and lineup.
"It's unfair to expect him to replace Adam's shoes," said Houston Astros Manager Phil Garner, who Loretta originally played for with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1995-98. "But we know that he'll be out there and do a good job because he can play all of the infield positions.
"He's a versatile player for us. He hasn't played shortstop regularly for a while, but he's correctly filled in."
The Astros, who have had their share of injuries this season with the losses of Everett and All-Star closer Brad Lidge during the past two weeks, found themselves in fourth place in the National League's Central Division entering Monday's road game against Milwaukee. Houston (32-43) trails Milwaukee by 11 games.
Houston will rely heavily on Loretta, who spent part of the 2002 season with the Astros, to help make up ground in the standings.
So far, Loretta has gladly accepted all roles assigned to him by Garner and he's glad to be back in Houston.
"This team has more veterans than some others," said the 35-year-old Loretta, who signed in January as a free agent with the Astros after spending the 2006 season with the Boston Red Sox. "A lot of these guys went to the World Series in 2005, and they know what it takes to get hot.
"There were a combination of factors that led to me coming back to Houston. I wanted to go to a place where I could get significant playing time, and I have a history with Phil.
"I had some good conversations toward the end of last season with Boston, and I had a good time there. I'd like to have gone back, but when you hit the free-agent market, you don't really know the demand that will be there."
There weren't any full-time jobs available for Loretta, who was drafted by the Brewers in 1993 in the seventh round and played in the All-Star game in 2004 and 2006.
