Burnett To Start Game 4, Yankees' Roster Unchanged

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- The New York Yankees have announced that A.J. Burnett will start Game 4 of the ALCS against the Texas Rangers.

Burnett was dropped from the New York Yankees' rotation for the AL division series against Minnesota. But manager Joe Girardi doesn't want to bring back CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes on short rest for the latter part of the best-of-seven series against the Rangers, which starts Friday in Texas.

Burnett threw a simulated game on Wednesday, plunking two teammates while preparing for his start against the Rangers.

PHOTOS: Burnett pitches simulated game
LISTEN: Boomer & Carton on Burnett's Game 4 start

He threw his simulated game to Francisco Cervelli. Last year, Jose Molina caught Burnett's five postseason starts instead of Jorge Posada, and Cervelli could wind up behind the plate for Burnett's start against the Rangers. Burnett had a 4.66 ERA in the 129 1-3 innings Cervelli caught during the 2010 season, down from a 7.28 ERA in the 38 1-3 innings he threw to Posada, according to STATS LLC.

The Yankees also announced no roster changes for the ALCS.

The Yankees will play with a bench of Francisco Cervelli, Ramiro Pena, Austin Kearns and Greg Golson, with Marcus Thames and Lance Berkman sharing designated hitter duties.