BOSTON — Larry Lucchino, who is stepping down as president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, says “the end of the year is a good time for this change.”

Lucchino, 69, was part of the ownership group that purchased the Red Sox in 2002. Boston won the World Series two years later, and added two more titles in 2007 and 2013.

“As far back as 2004, the year of our first world championship, I started to plan for the day when I would want to cut back a little,” he said in the statement released by the team Sunday. “I even inserted a clause to that effect in my contract.”

He said that Sam Kennedy, who has worked with him for 20 years, was his choice as a replacement.

“I have now been President/CEO of the Red Sox for 14 years,” Lucchino said. “I love the Red Sox, I love Fenway Park, and I love Boston. It’s my home. It’s never easy to leave a job you love, but I look forward to the next chapters.”

Lucchino role not expected to change at Pawtucket

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Larry Lucchino is stepping down as president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, but a Pawtucket Red Sox spokeswoman says his role as principal owner of the Triple A team isn’t expected to change.

Patty Doyle told The Providence Journal Lucchino has been “hyper-focused” on negotiating a deal with Rhode Island to move the team to Providence, and she expects that will continue.

Lucchino and Providence lawyer James Skeffington led a group of investors that bought the PawSox in February. The team wants to build a new stadium on prime riverfront land owned by the state and Brown University. Lucchino became lead negotiator when Skeffington died in May.

Doyle said Lucchino plans to visit North Carolina with a Rhode Island group Wednesday to discuss the “transformative effect” the Triple-A Bulls’ ballpark had on downtown Durham.

RHP Porcello goes on DL; newly acquired RHP Cook recalled

BOSTON — The Red Sox have placed struggling right-hander Rick Porcello on the 15-day disabled list because of soreness in his right triceps.

To fill his spot on the roster, Boston added newly acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Cook.

Manager John Farrell said Sunday the Red Sox initially thought of just pushing Porcello’s next outing back.

“We feel like it’s a short-term thing,” Farrell added. The 26-year-old Porcello was expected to be a top-of-the rotation starter, but he is 5-11 with a 5.81 ERA in 20 starts.

The club signed him to a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension in April.

Boston acquired Cook from Oakland at the non-waiver trade deadline Friday in a deal for a player to be named or cash. He was pitching for the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate.

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