Desperate to improve the offense for the worst-batting team in the league, the York Revolution worked out Atlantic League veteran P.J. Rose, 39, before Thursday's game. Revolution Director of Player Development Adam Gladstone expected to activate the infielder Saturday.

The son of Major League Baseball hits leader Pete Rose, P.J. batted .289 with 15 homers in 129 games for the Long Island Ducks last season. A member of a troubled clubhouse in Long Island, players clashed and the Ducks once again failed to reach the championship series despite a roster stocked with major league veterans and former All-Stars.

He also brings a checkered past, spending 30 days in prison after he pleaded guilty in 2005 to charges he distributed GBL -- a drug sometimes sold as a steroid alternative, sleep aid or sexual stimulant -- to his minor league teammates with the Chattanooga Lookouts, a Double-A affiliate of the Reds. He was one of at least 18 people charged in a six-year investigation led by the DEA.

"Look, he's been in this league how many years? He's subjected to the same random drug tests of every player in the league," Gladstone said. "And he's never had any problems."

Rose is well-liked by many in baseball, including players and former managers. Former Revs third baseman Matt Dryer talked to Rose in spring training last season to help find the type of bat he wanted for the regular season.

"He's a veteran guy we can lean on," said Gladstone, who did not have any

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concerns about bringing him into York's clubhouse.

Signed by Newark in the preseason, Rose appeared in one game and has not played for another team since going 0-for-4 on April 23. In his 21st season of professional baseball, he crossed paths with Revs manager Chris Hoiles in the Orioles farm system. Rose played 11 games in the majors for Cincinnati in 1997, but he's played independent ball exclusively since 2003.

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Olson returns: One of the original Revolution players, right-handed reliever Jason Olson, 31, worked out before Thursday's game, and Gladstone expected to activate him before tonight's game. He went 4-3 with a 3.41 ERA last season for York.

Expansion: The league granted provisional approval for an expansion franchise to be placed in Loudon County, Va., in 2011, according to Revs owner Peter Kirk. Kirk is one of the advisors, but not an owner for the potential franchise.

Consider the move a show of confidence for a project still in the hands of local politicians.

jseip@ydr.com; 771-2025