Joe Maddon thinks Jorge Soler’s time will come sometime against Cardinals

ST. LOUIS — Right fielder Jorge Soler has started in only one of the Cubs’ last four games, but manager Joe Maddon hasn’t ruled him out of starting during the best-of-five National League Division Series against the Cardinals.

“It’s possible,” Maddon said of Soler, who played in only 101 games during the regular season because of a left ankle sprain and left oblique strain. “His attitude has been fabulous. He has been staying ready. He has been a great teammate. He knows what’s at stake. You’ll see him out there at some point.”

Soler is a lifetime .328 hitter against the Cardinals, including .451 with six RBIs in six games at Busch Stadium.

Maddon considered starting Tommy La Stella at second over Starlin Castro but opted for Castro because of his .369 batting average in September and October and his defense. The left-handed hitting La Stella is 6-for-16 as a pinch-hitter.

Roster decisions: The only changes the Cubs made to their roster from the wild-card game to the division series was adding pitcher Jason Hammel and dropping outfielder Quintin Berry.

Hammel was available in relief for the first two games and is likely to start the fourth game of the NLDS.

“I miss the thought of (Berry) being on the bench, but we have other guys with similar skill set regarding running or stealing bases,” Maddon said. “(Austin Jackson) can do that kind of stuff. You definitely want A.J. on the team. (Chris) Denorfia has been an outstanding player and can pinch-hit for us.”

Rest is best: Reliever Jason Motte told his wife Caitlin to stay in Chicago to get her rest.

The reason? Caitlin is running Sunday in the Chicago Marathon.

“She wanted to come, but all the people we knew when we were here (with the Cardinals) will be in Chicago,” Motte said.

Caitlin was set to run in a marathon in St. Louis in 2011, but it was on the same day of the Cardinals’ World Series parade so she withdrew.

Meanwhile, Motte said his right shoulder felt fine after throwing a bullpen session, and he’s scheduled to throw live batting practice during Sunday’s workout at Wrigley Field.

“I’ll be a cheerleader for a few more days,” Motte said.

Gabbing with Gibson: Maddon hoped to chat with Cardinals Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson, his favorite player as a kid.

Maddon said he met Gibson briefly in the Dominican Republic in the 1980s.

“I know he doesn’t remember it, but I’d love to say hello to him if he’s willing to talk to the opposition,” Maddon quipped.