Notes: Zumaya nursing sore wrist  —  OAKLAND — Detroit Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya, considered a key to their bullpen, said Wednesday that he's worried about his availability for the rest of the American League Championship Series.  —  Zumaya was unable to pitch in Game 2, bothered by soreness in his right wrist.

Q&A: Gary Cohen  —  Longtime Mets broadcaster previews NLCS matchup  —  Gary Cohen was the radio voice of the Mets for 17 years before joining SNY's Cable TV broadcast booth this season.  —  SI.com: This is the first time since 1988 that the Mets have made it deeper into the postseason than the Yankees.

Notes: Miller to catch for Brewers in '07  —  Veteran exercised his player option and will play for Milwaukee  —  MILWAUKEE — Veteran catcher Damian Miller exercised his contract option on Thursday and will be back with the team in 2007.  —  Miller, who battled back and Achilles tendon injuries late …

We're Screwed  —  When I heard Chambliss was fired, I thought well okay, Krivsky wants to bring in his own guy.  Probably not a knock on Chambliss or anything.  Surely Chambliss isn't taking the blame for the offensive nosedive at the end of the season.  —  Really, I should know better:

A-Rod could enhance trade value by playing SS  —  Can Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez still play shortstop?  —  If so, it would increase the number of teams that would be interested in trading for him this off-season.  —  Equally important, the prospect of returning to short could help persuade Rodriguez to approve a trade.

Homerism isn't in the Cards  —  Before the first pitch is thrown in tonight's NLCS opener, there is one guarantee that can be made.  It's an age old certainty, which will begin registering with Mets fans before the first inning ends.  —  It happens every fall when fans of a team …

Marlins allowed to grow facial hair under Gonzalez, but can they?  —  Under Fredi Gonzalez, the Marlins are allowed to grow facial hair — but can they?  —  cspencer@MiamiHerald.com  —  Old manager Joe Girardi prohibited it.  New manager Fredi Gonzalez is permitting it.

Padres make roster moves  —  Friars claim Hampson, release Bellhorn, Williamson, Alexander  —  SAN DIEGO — The Padres offseason started on Oct. 8, but shaping the 2007 roster has already begun.  —  On Thursday, San Diego claimed Justin Hampson off waivers from the Colorado Rockies …

Pedro already feeling better  —  Ace: I'll be back, improved in '07  —  A giddy Pedro Martinez, his right shoulder still in a sling, predicted yesterday that he would return to the Mets during the second half of the 2007 season.  He also predicted he would return a stronger pitcher.

Piniella unlikely to wait for offer from Giants  —  NATIONALS, CUBS IN HUNT FOR HIM?  —  The Giants are lagging behind the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals in their search for a manager, and a source close to prime candidate Lou Piniella said he wouldn't wait around to consider all offers.

Scouting the Cardinals  —  Cardinals scouting report from a scout for an NL Central team:  —  Who is the hitter you fear the most in a big situation?  —  Albert Pujols.  He is the money bat.  —  Who is the pitcher you fear the most in a big situation?  —  Righthander Chris Carpenter.