Varitek sits, Buchholz draws rehab assignment

Jason Varitek, who has had five two-hit games in his last six starts, will sit this afternoon, with Kevin Cash drawing the assignment of catching Daisuke Matsuzaka. Manager Terry Francona said he did so to give Varitek two days off, since Tim Wakefield will be pitching tomorrow night in Oakland and Cash will be behind the dish.

This will be only the second time since Matsuzaka joined the Sox that he will be throwing to a catcher other than Varitek. He gave up eight hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings with Doug Mirabelli behind the plate on July 29 in a 5-2 loss at Tampa Bay. He gave up a home run to Dioner Navarro in the seventh followed by a single, and Manny Delcarmen gave up a three-run home run to B.J. Upton and a solo shot to Carlos Pena.

The most significant news of the morning was Francona's announcement that Clay Buchholz (torn fingernail) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Pawtucket on Sunday. The PawSox will be home.

Here are the lineups:

Red Sox
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
7. J.D. Drew, RF
8. Kevin Cash, C
9. Julio Lugo, SS

P -- Daisuke Matsuzaka

Royals
1. David DeJesus, LF
2. Mark Grudzielanek, 2B
3. Alex Gordon, 3B
4. Jose Guillen, DH
5. Mark Teahen, RF
6. Miguel Olivo, C
7. Ross Gload, 1B
8. Alberto Callsaspo, SS
9. Joey Gathright, CF

P -- Brian Bannister