DeRosa says he's ready

The reporters began gathering at Mark DeRosa's locker Tuesday long before DeRosa was anywhere near it.

When DeRosa finally arrived, he proclaimed himself ready for tonight's opener of the National League division series against the Dodgers.

Whether he starts at second base, right field or at all will depend on how his strained left calf has healed. Manager Lou Piniella was playing it cautiously.

However that situation shakes out, center fielder Felix Pie will get the final roster spot over Micah Hoffpauir in somewhat of a surprise.

First things first.

DeRosa was upbeat Tuesday after testing his calf Monday during a workout at Wrigley Field. He strained the calf last Wednesday running out a double in New York.

"I feel real good," he said. "I came out here yesterday in the pouring rain just shagging flyballs. I faced probably the toughest pitcher I've faced all year in our strength coach (Tim Buss), throwing a sim (simulated) game in the cage.

"Everything's fine. I'm going to work out with the team, so I don't foresee there being any problem."

Piniella said catcher Geovany Soto was fine after Soto battled recurring left-hand irritation last week.

"Geovany is going to be fine," Piniella said. "I'm not really concerned with Soto. With DeRosa, I am concerned a little bit about running. I want to see how that plays itself out today.

"That will help us make a decision on our roster spot and at the same time what our lineup will be tomorrow. So that's why I don't have a lineup."

Roster surprise: Cubs people Monday indicated that first baseman-outfielder Micah Hoffpauir had the edge over Felix Pie for the final position-player slot for the NLDS.

Even though Pie had lackluster performances last week, particularly in the field, the Cubs apparently favored his speed and ability to play center field over Hoffpauir's left-handed power.

In a move that wasn't totally unexpected, the Cubs sent reliever Chad Gaudin home. Gaudin hurt his lower back at the end of August and didn't pitch well upon returning. Infielder Casey McGehee and pitcher Angel Guzman also will go home.

The Cubs are sending Hoffpauir, pitchers Michael Wuertz and Kevin Hart and catcher Koyie Hill to their spring-training facility in Arizona to work out in case any is needed in later rounds of the postseason.