BOSTON — A foundation set up by the former owners of the Boston Red Sox says its “disheartened” its namesake has become embroiled in the national controversy over racially divisive monuments.

The Yawkey Foundations said Friday in a statement to the Associated Press that Jean and Tom Yawkey’s philanthropy was “color blind” and their generosity benefitted thousands of disadvantaged children of all backgrounds.

John Henry, who purchased the franchise from the Yawkey Trust in 2002, wants the city to rename Yawkey Way in front of Fenway Park because he’s “haunted” by the racist legacy of Tom Yawkey.

Yawkey owned the team from 1933 until his death in 1976. The Red Sox were the last Major League Baseball team to field a black player in 1959. The street was named for him in 1977.

CUBS: The team got an encouraging report on Jon Lester before placing the ace left-hander on the 10-day disabled list on Friday.

Lester was examined by team physician Dr. Stephen Gryzlo after he left Chicago’s 13-10 loss to Cincinnati on Thursday in the second inning. He was diagnosed with tightness in his left lat and general shoulder fatigue, but his shoulder and side were deemed structurally sound.

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The Cubs are hoping rest will clear up both issues and Lester will be able to return not long after he becomes eligible.

NATIONALS: Max Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled start Friday night and placed on the 10-day disabled list with a sore neck. Scherzer was coming off a 10-strikeout performance against San Francisco.

ROYALS: The team placed reliever Joakim Soria on the disabled list with a left oblique strain and recalled right-hander Kevin McCarthy from Triple-A Omaha.

Manager Ned Yost says Soria had been dealing with stiffness in his left side for about two weeks.

TIGERS: Right-hander Anibal Sanchez hit the 10-day disabled list with left hamstring tightness. Sanchez exited his last start on Wednesday against Texas early.


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