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Cards hoping Rolen can play by weekend

ST. LOUIS -- Though he was not expected to play in Games 1 or 2, third baseman Scott Rolen made the Cardinals' NLCS roster.

Rolen, who worked out Wednesday but did not swing, could play in Game 3 Saturday in San Francisco depending on his sprained left shoulder.

One of the Cardinals' key offensive components after being acquired from the Phillies in late July, he was hurt in a collision during Game 2 of the division series against Arizona.

"Right now I have almost full range of movement in my shoulder," Rolen said. "There's still some pain in spots and I have a little bit in some areas, but we still have time.

"If I can progress daily like I have up to this point, I'm optimistic I can get back in the lineup and hopefully contribute."

By keeping Rolen on the roster, the Cardinals have just four position players on the bench.

"We have four moves to make," manager Tony La Russa said. "Actually, if we're careful, I could use one of our pitchers to hit. Obviously I feel that it's worth it. And maybe over the weekend, Scott will be available to do something."

RUMOR MILL: The future of Giants manager Dusty Baker continues to be a hot topic.

Newsday reported Wednesday that the Mets have focused their search for Bobby Valentine's replacement on Baker, whose contract is up after this season.

"I don't read the newspapers too much," Baker said. "That's one way I deal with (the rumors). And there's nothing that really can be done about anything until everything is over."

LOOKING AHEAD: Giants first baseman J.T. Snow and Cardinals outfielder Jim Edmonds are pulling for the Angels to beat the Twins in the ALCS.

Both spent part of their careers in Anaheim.

"I'm pulling for them," said Snow, who was with the Angels from 1993-96. "I'd like to see them do well. And if we could get there, I think it would be a good matchup."

LOCAL INTEREST MOVE: The Giants added left-handed reliever Chad Zerbe, a product of Tampa's Citrus Park Little League, Gaither High and Hillsborough Community College, to their roster.

Zerbe replaces former Rays farmhand Manny Aybar not so much because of performance -- Aybar allowed two runs in 2 2/3 innings in the division series -- but because the Cardinals have a glut of left-handed hitters.

In 50 games during the season, Zerbe went 2-0 with a 3.04 ERA.

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