Jon Lester is taking a new NBA-themed approach to deal with his struggles to throw to first base.

"In the words of [coach Brian Butterfield], we're going to use the Jordan-to-Pippen bounce," Lester said. "I don't care what it looks like, I don't care if it bounces 72 times over there, an out's an out."

Lester tested the approach during an exhibition game on Sunday on a comebacker to the mound. He threw a two-hopper to first baseman Efren Navarro, who couldn't scoop up the ball, which skipped into foul territory for an error. In the past, when Lester fielded a comebacker, he would often throw underhand to the first baseman.

"I think the big thing with 'Butter' is he's trying to make that next step for me, so with the bunt, I don't have to rely on [third baseman Kris Bryant] to run in 30 feet to field the ball or [catcher Willson Contreras] to make an unbelievable play. It's so I can get the ball and get it over to [first baseman Anthony Rizzo] and get an out," he said.

Lester's difficulties throwing to first have been well documented.