LESTER

BOSTON — If he was healthy, Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester probably would have been preparing to start last night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. Instead, the young left-hander was playing long toss in the outfield yesterday afternoon at Fenway Park.

He has successfully battled his way back to health after being diagnosed with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma last August, but during his second rehab start for the Pawtucket Red Sox last week he felt tightness in his left forearm and was immediately backed off.

Lester played catch with Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell at 120 feet yesterday before simulating mound work on flat ground as he worked on his off-speed pitches. He’s scheduled to just play catch today and will throw a side session at Fenway Park tomorrow. When asked how Lester looked and felt, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said “very good.”

Lester had been outstanding in his four rehab starts (three for Single-A Greenville and one for Pawtucket) before his recent setback. Like everything else he’s dealt with, the 22-year-old southpaw said he’s just going to take things one day at a time.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox sent Julian Tavarez to the hill for his sixth start of the season as Lester continues his comeback.

Reliever Lopez called up

The Red Sox made a roster move yesterday, optioning pitcher Devern Hansack to Pawtucket and recalled lefty reliever Javier Lopez. Hansack, one of the last pitchers assigned to Pawtucket out of spring training, was in the starting rotation for the PawSox before Boston recalled him on May 3. During his brief stint with the Sox, the right-hander only worked 2/3 of an inning and allowed one run. He’s scheduled to start for Pawtucket against Toledo today at McCoy Stadium.

Because the Sox’ pitching staff has been so good, it really didn’t allow Hansack a chance to be effective. Francona felt that by Hansack just sitting around it was doing the pitcher more harm than good.

“He was disappointed,” said Francona. “With inexperienced guys, he probably felt like he didn’t throw the ball well and we were upset. We just want him to go and pitch. If he starts (in Pawtucket) he can do either when he’s recalled. If he sits, he can only do one thing and that’s not good.”

Lopez was 1-0 with a 3.75 E.R.A. in nine relief appearances for the PawSox this season. The southpaw began the season in Boston and worked three scoreless innings in four appearances before he was assigned to Pawtucket on April 9.

Lowell stung the Jays

The Red Sox’ recent three-game series in Toronto was very productive for Mike Lowell. Boston’s third baseman went 5-for-13 with 3 homers, 1 double and 7 RBI. Before last night’s game against the Orioles, Francona admitted the veteran is in a zone.

“The ball is coming off his bat better,” said Francona. “His bat is coming through the zone pretty good.”

After a questionable third-strike call on Lowell during his first at-bat to end the first inning, which he argued with the home-plate umpire, he followed up with a line-drive single in the third. He entered the game with a .303 average with 7 homers and 28 RBI, but the one stat that stands out is his eight total errors this season.

He made a total of six in 153 games last season, and the most he’s had in a season is nine while he was with Florida in 2003.

“He’s made some errors at third that are very uncharacteristic, and some of that is bad luck,” said Francona. “I think the rest of the season you’re going to see the golden-glove caliber player.”

Sox turn in defensive gems

Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis turned in the Red Sox defensive play of the game in the second inning last night. With one out the Orioles’ Corey Patterson smoked a hard chopper down the base line as Youkilis ranged to his left deep behind the bag, reached back and snared the ball. He quickly made it to his feet and made a perfect feed to Tavarez for the out.

Not to be outdone, Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia closed out the inning with a tremendous diving play. With two outs and runners on first and second, the Orioles’ Miguel Tejada ripped a hard ground ball in the hole before Pedroia, in an all-out dive, made the play and threw to first for the out.

Around the bases

With his single in the bottom of the first inning last night, Manny Ramirez has hit safely in 10 consecutive games . . . Moms and kids will be allowed to run the bases, following tomorrow’s game at Fenway Park.

jmcdonal@projo.com