The Pittsburgh Pirates scratched right-hander Paul Skenes from his scheduled start Sunday against the Boston Red Sox.
Instead, Lake Bachar will open a bullpen game for the Pirates, with Skenes scheduled to make his next start against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.
Pirates manager Don Kelly said the decision to scratch Skenes wasn't related to an injury.
"Giving Paul more rest," Kelly said Saturday, according to MLB.com's Jason Mackey. "He was ready to go. Feel like it'll give him a few more days to recover. It'll give other guys on the back side more time as well."
Skenes was removed from his last outing against the Miami Marlins after 65 pitches amid command issues and a dip in velocity. The 2025 NL Cy Young winner said he understood Kelly's decision and supports his manager.
"Ultimately, it was Donnie's decision," Skenes said. "I'll have his back on whatever that is. I don't necessarily disagree with the decision, either."
The 24-year-old owns a career-worst 3.88 ERA and has won just three of his last 16 decisions.
