T.R. Sullivan is reporting that Rangers pitcher Cliff Lee has been scratched from his scheduled Tuesday start in Toronto because of a strained muscle in his lower back. Lee flew back to Arlington last Wednesday to receive an injection in his lower back following his Tuesday start against the Kansas City Royals - a start in which Lee gave up seven runs, four earned, on 10 hits in four and two thirds innings. Lee has struggled in each of his last five starts for the Rangers, surrendering at least four earned runs in each of those starts while failing to register a win.
Lee tested his back yesterday throwing off flat ground but was unable to throw a bullpen session as he had hoped.
The two obvious candidates to replace Lee on Tuesday are Rich Harden, who has recently been demoted to the bullpen, and Scott Feldman who would have to be activated off the disabled list.