New York Yankees pitcher Kevin Brown was scratched from his scheduled start on Thursday as he continues to be plagued by a chronic back problem. Brown, who met with a doctor in Colorado earlier this week, is coming off a poor performance this past Saturday against the Angels. Brown suffered the loss as he was tagged with seven runs on six hits over just 3 1/3 innings. The 40-year-old, who has battled through a back injury all season, has been up-and-down when he has pitched this year. Overall he has posted a 4-7 record with a 6.50 earned run average in 13 outings. In addition to Brown being scratched, the Yankees also announced that Carl Pavano was pushed back as he tries to return from a shoulder injury. Pavano, who is on the 15-day DL, had hoped to be activated in time to start this Saturday against the Angels, but will now make a rehabilitation start on Wednesday in the Gulf Coast League. Pavano, who was signed by New York as a free agent in the offseason, is 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA this year. The Yankees have not said who will take Brown and Pavano's spots in the rotation, but it is likely that Aaron Small will get one of the open slots.