Hitless in his last 17 at-bats and batting .070 (3-for-43) this season, David Ortiz is being given the night off against the Yankees at Fenway Park.
"I just think it's the right thing to do," said Red Sox Manager Terry Francona. "He came (into the clubhouse today, knowing it was a day off) with a little bounce to his step, a little more lighthearted than he's been. He'll have a good work day. Then he can take a little bit of a mental (break). Because I think it's gotten to the point where he needs a break."
Francona does not believe Ortiz's struggles are related to his right knee that required off-season surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
Red Sox first baseman Sean Casey duly noted, "David has been one of the best hitters in baseball for the last so many years. At the end of this year, I promise you, he will be one of the best hitters in baseball this year. He will be what he is, when all is said and done."
-- Lineups for tonight are:

Red Sox
1. Ellsbury lf
2. Pedroia 2b
3. Drew rf
4. Ramirez dh
5. Youkilis 3b
6. Casey 1b
7. Varitek c
8. Crisp cf
9. Lugo ss
SP: Matsuzaka (2-0, 1.57)

Yankees
1. Damon cf
2. Cano 2b
3. Abreu rf
4. Rodriguez 3b
5. Matsui lf
6. Posada dh
7. Giambi 1b
8. Molina c
9. Gonzalez ss
SP: Phil Hughes (0-1, 5.00)

-- Francona said closer Jonathan Papelbon is not available to pitch tonight. Papelbon pitched 1 1/3 innings in each of his last two appearances – including following a 2-hour, 11-minute rain delay on Saturday – and in three of his last four. He pitched 1 1/3 innings in only four of his 59 appearances last season.