The PawSox’ Bobby Scales beats Ottawa baserunner Dusty Walthan to second during a double-play attempt in the second inning of last night’s game.

The Providence Journal / Kathy Borchers

PAWTUCKET — The word “rehab” no longer exists in Jon Lester’s vocabulary.

At least the 23-year-old left-handed pitcher and the Boston Red Sox hope that’s the case for a very long time as the organization officially activated him from the disabled list yesterday and optioned him to Pawtucket.

It’s the first time this season he’s been off the DL as he courageously works his way back from cancer. There has been speculation all season that once he was deemed healthy and ready for the major-league level, the Sox would activate him and place him back in the starting rotation.

That won’t be the case, at least for now.

The fifth spot in the Sox’ rotation belongs to Julian Tavarez, who has been solid in that role, and that’s probably another reason general manager Theo Epstein decided to keep Lester with the PawSox. It’s almost like the don’t-fix-what’s-not-broken mentality since the Red Sox have built a commanding lead in the A.L. East.

For now Lester can simply concentrate on pitching. There will be no more questions about pitch counts and whether he’s throwing the cutter — the pitch that reportedly set his rehab back a bit when he experienced cramping in his throwing forearm.

So, how does it feel to be off the disabled list?

“It’s nice, but at the same time it’s disappointing,” said Lester prior to last night’s PawSox game. “It’s something I can put behind me now and just worry about pitching. I don’t have to worry about what’s going on up there. I just have to worry about pitching every five days and try to win.”

Because Lester was technically on a rehab assignment he was able to have facial hair — the Red Sox minor-league players are not allowed to have facial hair — but yesterday afternoon the young southpaw was clean-shaven. In fact, PawSox broadcaster Steve Hyder noticed it early yesterday afternoon in the clubhouse, and asked Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson about it, but at that time no official word on Lester’s assignment had come down from Boston.

With the Red Sox enjoying an off-day yesterday, Lester worked a bullpen session at Fenway Park with Boston’s pitching coach John Farrell and everything went well.

“If they need me, they’ll call me,” said Lester. “It’s just one of those deals. Obviously, they have a logjam up there right now for spots, and they’re going good right now, too. It’s always nice to have a winning team as your parent club, but at the same time it blocks some guys down here. You just have to bide your time, be patient and not worry about it.”

Lester has been impressive on and off the mound this season, especially given his circumstances.

After an emotional spring training, he began the season in Single-A Greenville and started three games for the Drive. He allowed only three runs on 11 hits in 13 innings of work, with two walks and 15 strikeouts before he was sent to Pawtucket.

Technically Lester has worked two different rehab stints for the PawSox this season. After he arrived here from Greenville, he worked a total of eight innings in two starts, allowing two runs. He began to experience cramping in his forearm on May 2 against Indianapolis. As a precaution, the Red Sox decided it would be best for him to join the big club and continue his rehab with them until he was ready to pitch again.

Lester returned to the PawSox on May 19 and in his next four starts was outstanding, allowing only two earned runs and punching out 10 hitters during that stretch.

His only speed bump came last Saturday night. He was scheduled to work seven innings with a pitch-count of 100, but he made it through only 2 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on five hits on 70 pitches (42 for strikes). He brushed it off and said he was looking forward to his next outing.

He learned yesterday he’ll remain with the PawSox for the time being. His next appearance on the mound will be Friday against the Richmond Braves at McCoy Stadium.

jmcdonal@projo.com