01:00 AM EDT on Monday, April 3, 2006

Since Jimmy Rollins last went hitless in a game for Philadelphia, the Phillies again failed to make the playoffs, the Chicago White Sox ended an 88-year championship drought and the seasons changed three times -- summer to fall to winter to spring.

Six months after ending last season with a 36-game hitting streak, Rollins resumes his pursuit of Joe DiMaggio's major league record of 56 when the Phillies host the St. Louis Cardinals in their season opener today.

"I'm fortunate to be in a situation where I have the chance to do something special," Rollins said. "Am I ready to handle the pressure? I don't know. I've never been in this position, so we'll all go through it together. I don't mind the pressure."

A three-time All-Star shortstop, Rollins nearly helped the Phillies reach the playoffs by hitting .379 during his streak. Philadelphia finished one game behind N.L. wild-card winner Houston despite Rollins' effort.

Now Rollins has his sights on breaking DiMaggio's 65-year-old record. There is a catch, though, because DiMaggio accomplished his feat in the same season. The major-league marks for longest hitting streak in one season and longest hitting streak spanning two seasons are separate records.

Pete Rose (1978) and Willie Keeler (1897) share the N.L. mark at 44 games. However, Keeler got a hit in his final game of 1896, so his run of 45 games overall is the first record Rollins can chase.

"You have to start over in your approach," Rollins said. "There's no pennant chase now, so I'm going to have to find other things to focus on."

ROUNDUP ROCKIES' DL GROWS: The Colorado Rockies placed right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim and catcher Yorvit Torrealba on the 15-day disabled list yesterday and designated pitchers Jaime Cerda and Mike Esposito for assignment. Kim was placed on the DL retroactive to Wednesday with a strained right hamstring and Torrealba was placed on the DL retroactive to March 24 with a strained right shoulder. Colorado opens the season with a franchise-high seven players on the DL.

TURNBOW REACHS DEAL: Closer Derrick Turnbow and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed yesterday to a $6.5-million, three-year contract, replacing the $488,000, one-year deal he signed in February. The 28-year-old righty tied the Brewers season saves record last year with 39, a mark Dan Kolb set in 2004. The 39 saves ranked fifth in the N.L. last season, when Turnbow was 7-1 with a 1.74 E.R.A.

LOWRY SIGNS: Noah Lowry signed a four-year contract yesterday that guarantees the pitcher at least $9.25 million. The 25-year-old Lowry, the Giants' No. 3 starter heading into today's season opener at San Diego, is under contract through the 2009 season and the Giants have a club option for 2010.

MARLINS MOVING?: Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said yesterday that discussions with San Antonio officials about the possibility of relocating the team there are serious. San Antonio has been trying to lure the team and county officials have offered to put up $200 million toward an estimated $300 million ballpark if voters approve extending a tax on hotel and car rentals.