Sports

Diamondbacks hire Mike Hazen to run baseball operations

BOSTON — Mike Hazen, who assumed the general manager role for the Red Sox under Dave Dombrowski's leadership, has been hired by the Arizona to run the Diamondbacks baseball operations.

Hazen has been with the Red Sox since 2006 and worked his way up the ladder from scouting to general manager in the 11 seasons that followed.

He was assistant general manager under Ben Cherington, but was elevated to general manager after Dombrowski was named president of baseball operations in August, 2015.

"We feel very strongly that we have found the ideal candidate to lead our baseball operations," Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick said. "Mike's reputation throughout the game is impeccable, and his championship experience gives us great confidence in naming him to this position."

With Hazen's move to Arizona, it's reasonable to assume Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo will be high on his list to replace Chip Hale as the club's manager.

Lovullo agreed to stay in Boston last offseason as an insurance policy at manager in the wake of John Farrell's battle with cancer.  Dombrowski said during his postseason news conference that Lovullo is free to look for other opportunities this year, but is welcome back with the Red Sox, as well.

Dombrowski provided this written statement Sunday evening:

“While this is certainly a significant loss for the Red Sox organization, we are extremely happy for Mike and his family as they begin this new opportunity in Arizona. As one of the most respected young baseball executives in the game, Mike is more than deserving of this position. On behalf of the club, we would like to thank Mike for his 11 years of service to the Red Sox and wish him well in his new role. He will be missed by all of his colleagues here at the Boston Red Sox.

In the meantime, a search for a new general manager for the Boston Red Sox is underway.”