Red Sox promote Hazen to GM

Dave Dombrowski, the Boston Red Sox’s president of baseball operations, didn’t have to go far in his search for a new general manager — as it turned out, his man was already in the office.

Dombrowski stayed in-house by hiring Mike Hazen as general manager Thursday, promoting him to help rebuild a team that went from World Series champion to the AL East cellar — with a second straight last-place finish a distinct possibility.

Hazen has been with Boston since 2006, and his promotion from assistant GM is the first big move by Dombrowski since he took over in August.

“He’s been interviewing every day since I’ve been here, per se,” Dombrowski said at a news conference at Fenway Park. “I’ve been very impressed with Mike since I’ve been here.”

Hazen, 39, replaces Ben Cherington, who built the 2013 World Series champions but had the Red Sox headed for last place for the second year in a row.

Hazen, a Massachusetts native, is the sixth Red Sox GM in a row with New England roots. He grew up a Red Sox fan, arguing with his dad “who was better between ( Jim) Rice and (Dwight) Evans,” he said.

“Coming here to Fenway Park and watching Wade Boggs, Marty Barrett and Bruce Hurst — memories that I take here in this job,” Hazen said. Briefly: The Red Sox shut down Hanley Ramirez (right shoulder inflammation) for the rest of the season. ... Royals reliever Greg Holland (right elbow injury) will not pitch again this year.