Rolen to have MRI on left knee

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen expects to have an MRI on his sore left knee in the next few days.

The minor injury has bothered him for several weeks, though it hasn't hampered him too much -- he leads the major leagues with 76 RBIs.

"I don't think it's a big deal," Rolen said. "I'll get checked by the doctor. I'll probably get an MRI just to see if it's a problem."

Rolen was in the lineup for Friday night's interleague game against the Seattle Mariners. He began a nine-game homestand on two days rest after a scheduled day off on Wednesday plus the team's day off on Thursday.

Rolen said running has been difficult for him. He pulled up lame on one groundout during the last homestand.

"It was an ache and a pain like everybody else in the league and it kind of kept aching and paining," Rolen said. "But I'm going to play today, tomorrow and Sunday and Monday and Tuesday."

Manager Tony La Russa talked of giving Rolen, who was to make his 76th start in 79 games, a rest during the team's last homestand.

"He can stand flat-footed and be the best third baseman in the league," La Russa said.

Center fielder Jim Edmonds remained out of the Cardinals' lineup for the fifth straight game with a groin injury, but hoped to play Saturday. Edmonds hasn't started in the outfield in a week.

"I'm doing OK," Edmonds said. "I think I'm doing good."

La Russa said Edmonds, who had thought he might miss two or three days, was improving.

"You never know," La Russa said. "With an outfielder, your legs are involved in everything."