J.D. Martinez was scratched from the lineup a couple of hours before first pitch of Saturday’s game due to a recurrence of back spasms.

Steve Pearce replaced Martinez as the DH.

Martinez was a late scratch from a spring training game in mid-March, but was back in games soon after.

Martinez is listed as day-to-day. Manager Alex Cora could not say if he will be able to play in Sunday afternoon’s game.

“He got treatment the whole day so we’ll see how he feels (Sunday morning),” said Cora. “When he got here he felt it was tight and he tried to go to the cage and tried to swing and it didn’t make sense to push him to go back out there.”

The lineup change meant Xander Bogaerts was moved up from No. 5 to replace Martinez in the clean-up slot.

Martinez has been both consistent and productive at the plate this season, hitting safely in 24 of the team’s 26 games. He ranks among the league leaders in hits, batting average, on-base percentage and ties on base. His average exit velocity of 93.7 mph ranks 13th in the majors, according to Baseball Savant.

Before the national anthem, the Red Sox held a moment of silence for late, great Celtic John Havlicek, who passed away on Thursday.

Bright spot

Mookie Betts provided the sole spark for the offense in the 2-1 loss to the Rays Saturday with his eighth-inning home run. Over the last eight games, he has reached base in 19 of 37 plate appearances (.514 OBP) and has batted .419. He now has five home runs this season, two of them coming against Diego Castillo.

Brandon Workman struck out the first two batters he faced in the eighth and then issued two walks. Marcus Walden came in and got him out of the jam.

Matt Barnes pitched the ninth, a perfect inning: nine pitches, nine strikes, three outs.

The Red Sox bullpen held the Rays hitless over the final three innings.

Over their last 11 games, the Red Sox starters have posted a 3.27 ERA and have allowed three or fewer earned runs in 13 of their last 14 starts.

Feeling better

On the infielders’ injury front, Eduardo Nunez (back) is “moving well,” said Cora. Same with Dustin Pedroia (knee). Over the weekend, the Red Sox plan to meet to plot out rehab stints for the two of them.

They could likely find Brock Holt (scratched cornea) wherever they go. Holt resumed his rehab stint with Pawtucket (Triple A) Friday night. Holt walked three times, with a hit and two runs in the PawSox’ 17-5 victory over Rochester. Rain, however, canceled Saturday’s game.

“He said he saw the ball well,” said Cora. “I guess they already canceled the game today. Weather’s going to be a factor I guess here and everywhere in the Northeast. It was only six at-bats, he didn’t play the field, he was the DH, but he felt good, he saw the ball a lot.”

Brian Johnson (left elbow) “may throw a bullpen” on Sunday, said Cora. Johnson’s return is on the local train. He will be allowed to throw only fastballs, no breaking balls.

Josh Smith, the spot starter called up from Pawtucket for Friday night’s rainout, was available from the bullpen for Saturday’s game.

In the 17-5 victory, Pawtucket’s Josh Ockimey homered twice, while Rusney Castillo went 2-for-6 with three RBI.

In Single-A Salem action on Friday, center fielder Jarren Duran went 4-for-5 with a double in a 7-5 victory over Myrtle Beach.

Last year, the Rays were the only to sweep the Red Sox in a series, winning three in a row August 24-26.

Friday night’s rainout will be made up as the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, June 8, with a 6:05 start time.

Walk on by

Michael Chavis drew two walks, and has six in seven career games.

With his home run Thursday, Chavis became the sixth Red Sox to homer in at least two of their first six games in a Red Sox uniform. The others: Rafael Devers (2017), Will Middlebrooks (2012), Bill Selby (1996), Mo Vaughn (1991) and Sam Horn (1987).

Chavis feels at home hitting in Fenway.

“I think I’m going to enjoy it,” said Chavis. “Just being in Fenway, the history in this ballpark. Honestly every time I put on the Red Sox jersey, it kind of blows me away, just thinking about who’s worn that name on their chest and who’s been in this locker room and on this field. That alone is unbelievable. But having played in Greenville and Portland with the Green Monster I’m somewhat accustomed to it and know how it plays. So, I’m looking forward to it.”

Chavis said his new teammates have also made him feel at home.

“Oh, it’s been huge,” said Chavis. “Like I said earlier they’ve done such a good job of making me feel welcome. Being able to be comfortable and perform in some situations to help the team, that’s what I’m here for. But it’s also very comforting as well.”