The Boston Red Sox will use Ryan Dempster out of the bullpen over the remainder of the regular season as they prepare for the playoffs.

Dempster was in line to start one of the two games in the team's upcoming series in Colorado.

"Had a chance to meet with him yesterday and walk through some of the scenarios that exist, and he is fully on board," John Farrell said. "He's a professional and understands it, and this gives him some opportunities to adjust his warm-up routine."

The veteran has made more than 200 relief appearances in his career.