TIMLIN

BOSTON — The Red Sox’ roster for the American League Championship Series isn’t yet decided, and won’t be final until this afternoon in Tampa.

That leaves a few stalwarts, such as reliever Mike Timlin and shortstop Julio Lugo, waiting to hear whether they will make the cut.

Timlin said yesterday that he didn’t know his status yet, and wasn’t going to assume anything. He was left off the roster for the division series, which he said was tough. Manager Terry Francona praised the veteran for accepting his fate professionally, but Timlin allowed that he wasn’t totally composed when hearing the news.

“Well, you try to be as professional as you possibly can in all situations,” he said. “I can’t say the whole conversation was professional, but that’s between he and I. But, hey, if you don’t have passion to play the game, you’ve got to stop.”

Watching his teammates defeat the Angels without helping out wasn’t easy, but the 42-year-old, who could be in his last season with the team, said he tried to work past it.

“Frustrating at the beginning, but you know, I have to accept my role. I’ve got to help the team when I can. Be positive. It’s not going to do any good to be moping on the bench,” Timlin said.

Lugo hasn’t played since July 11, when he strained a left quadriceps muscle, but has been practicing with the team. But Francona said the veteran probably won’t make the championship series roster, considering the long layoff.

“I think it’s been too long,” said Francona. “I give [Lugo] a lot of credit. He’s been trying. I do want to have a conversation with him but I don’t know how realistic it is to ask somebody to do that right now.”

Jed Lowrie has ably replaced Lugo since his July call-up from Triple-A Pawtucket.

dbarbari@projo.com