Yankees manager Joe Girardi said on Monday that he will push back struggling starter Javier Vazquez in the rotation, slotting him for a Monday start against the Detroit Tigers.
Such a move avoids lining up Vazquez to pitch against the Red Sox this weekend, according to ESPN.com.
"We're going to give him a couple of days to catch his breath," said Girardi of the right-hander, who has found the going tough in his second go-round as a Yankee.
Through five starts, the Puerto Rican has a 9.78 ERA in a scant 23 innings. He was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the offseason for Melky Cabrera and two minor league players. Vasquez last pitched for the Bronx Bombers in 2004.
Vazquez went 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA that year, giving up a grand slam to Johnny Damon in Game 7 of the ALCS to cap off Boston's stirring comeback.
With Vazquez's move out of the Boston series, A.J. Burnett is lined up to pitch the series finale on Sunday.
