Lester scratched from Sunday start vs. Yankees

BOSTON -- With the Red Sox clinging to hope that Clay Buchholz will again pitch this season, they're taking extra precaution with Jon Lester.

Lester, who was supposed to start Sunday night's series finale against the Yankees, was scratched with "general wear and tear," according to manager John Farrell. Ryan Dempster will start Sunday night, Brandon Workman could start Monday -- depending on if he's needed out of the bullpen this weekend -- and Lester won't pitch again until Tuesday.

"We felt like two things: One, we have an opportunity right now to give him a couple extra days coming out of the break," Farrell said. "And two, he'll benefit from it."

Lester has been at the front of a starting rotation that went from among the league's best in April to among the league's worst in June. In his past eight starts, the lefty has posted a 6.36 ERA while opponents have hit .311 off him. He's allowed 10 homers in 46 2/3 innings during that span, with 22 walks and 38 strikeouts.

Farrell, who has previously attributed the sudden fall off to Lester's cutter losing its effectiveness, said there is no specific injury concern, but Lester didn't feel great coming out of a workout on Thursday.

"It just felt like two extra days will help him," Farrell said.