Abreu will start in right field and bat eighth Thursday against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Abreu was originally slated to sit out of Thursday's contest with left-hander Nestor Cortes on the mound for New York, but he will enter the starting lineup to replace Rob Refsnyder, who was scratched due to wrist discomfort. Abreu owns a .511 OPS against left-handed pitchers this season through 55 plate appearances.