LOS ANGELES — The Cardinals formally sided with recent performance over experience Tuesday, opting to place righthanded rookies Blake Hawksworth and Mitchell Boggs on the Division Series roster over 2008 13-game winner Todd Wellemeyer and World Series veteran Brad Thompson.

The club will not make known its decision to Major League Baseball until this morning, according to one club official, "because you never know, something might happen."

However, barring unforeseen developments, the Cardinals bullpen's final two members will carry 67 combined major-league appearances.

Manager Tony La Russa informed Wellemeyer and Thompson that they would not be part of the roster after Tuesday's workout. Neither player was available when the clubhouse re-opened after a team meeting.

Drafted by the Redbirds in 2001, Hawksworth made his major-league debut on June 6 and finished 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA. He was unscored upon in 11 appearances after Aug. 28. His finest outing may have been his three shutout innings against the Dodgers in the season's longest game — a 15-inning, 3-2 win July 29.

Boggs (2-3, 4.19 ERA) stoked his value after demonstrating greater velocity following a move to relief in September.

La Russa's bullpen will have nine available arms tonight, including potential Game 4 starters Kyle Lohse and John Smoltz. Hawksworth, Boggs, Kyle McClellan, rookie Jason Motte and closer Ryan Franklin complement lefthanders Dennys Reyes and Trever Miller.

SCHU' IN CENTER FIELD?

La Russa ignited intrigue when he mentioned three possibilities for tonight's starting center fielder, the third being second baseman Skip Schumaker.

Rookie Colby Rasmus (104) and Rick Ankiel (52) started all but six games in center. Schumaker made three starts there, compared to 124 at second base.

La Russa noted Rasmus' struggles against lefthanded pitching (.160). He also has played Ankiel sparingly against them despite a .234 average that actually bests Schumaker's .220.

ET CETERA

Catcher Yadier Molina insisted his bruised left knee was ready to support him in a five-game series. ... La Russa did not announce tonight's lineup while Dodgers manager Joe Torre offered his, which won't include All-Star second baseman Orlando Hudson. "I don't think we have to give the lineup today, do we?" La Russa said. "The lineup is not ready yet. I've got a good idea." ... A 59-year-old vendor not affiliated with the team collapsed and died in the Dodger Stadium press box during the Cardinals workout.