by GEORGE A. KING III , The New York Post

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Joe Girardi said ALDS roster decisions won't be made until next week, but the feeling at Tropicana Field yesterday was that Joba Chamberlain will be in the Yankees bullpen against the Tigers or Twins.

General manager Brian Cashman said on Thursday that Chamberlain was in the mix with Brian Bruney, Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre for the final one or two spots in the bullpen depending on how many pitchers - 10 or 11 - the Yankees take to the first round.

Though the Yankees won't need a fourth starter in the best-of-five ALDS unless a game gets rained out, they will require a fourth starter if they advance to the best-of-seven ALCS. And, as inconsistent as Chamberlain has been since August, he likely is a better option for that role than Gaudin, a journeyman right-hander who has experience starting and relieving.

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When Girardi posted the lineup card for last night's 13-4 loss to the Rays, there appeared to be a mistake with the positions listed next to Jorge Posada's and Jose Molina's names. Posada was catching CC Sabathia and Molina, a .215 hitter, was the designated hitter against Tampa Bay lefty David Price.

The move was made to give Posada a chance to work with Sabathia, who will be the Yankees' starter in Game 1 of the ALDS.

"If everything works out, he will be catching CC next week," Girardi said of Posada, who hadn't caught Sabathia since Sept. 13.

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Barring another episode with his right elbow David Robertson will be one of Girardi's relievers in the postseason.

"He has been great," Girardi said of the righty, who was out from Sept. 6 to Sept. 29 with elbow stiffness. "I have been extremely pleased, he has been really good."

Girardi used Robertson, a strikeout threat (62 in 412/3 innings), for one inning (one earned run, two hits, no Ks) last night and plans to use him tomorrow.

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Girardi said he will rest Alex Rodriguez today. . . . According to the manager, there is no organized workout planned for Monday at Yankee Stadium.

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