The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of a historic shake-up, with the reign of president and CEO Larry Lucchino about to end, according to The Boston Herald.

Sam Kennedy, 34, currently the Red Sox executive vice president and chief operating officer, will replace Lucchino as president by the end of the year.

Unlike Lucchino, Kennedy’s responsibilities will not include having a hand in baseball operations.

The title of chief executive officer will remain unfilled for the time being.

The Red Sox have been exploring a succession plan from Lucchino for some time. With his contract expiring at the end of the year, the club finally decided the time was right for Lucchino’s everyday responsibilities to come to an end. A key factor in the timing also was the club’s desire to promote, and not lose, the next generation of leaders, topped by Kennedy, in the Red Sox’ executive branch.

Lucchino, who will turn 70 next month, has been less visible over the past year, partly as a result of a serious motorcycle accident over the winter.

He has also been deeply involved with the purchase of the Pawtucket Red Sox and their bid to build a new stadium in Providence, Rhode Island. Lucchino’s duties on the PawSox front increased with the death of the group’s president, Jim Skeffington, in May.

Kennedy will formally assume his new duties as soon as the end of October but a transition of duties has already begun.

When contacted by the Herald, Kennedy declined to comment at this time. Lucchino and principal owner John Henry were also not immediately available for comment.

There has been speculation that either Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner or Fenway Sports Group President Michael Gordon would be taking over as president of the Red Sox.

The Red Sox and Lucchino are still working out the details of his departure, but Henry and Werner are keen on keeping him involved in some capacity at the executive level.

“We are hopeful and confident that we will conclude an agreement with Larry going forward where he will continue to be an integral part of upper management,” Werner said.

“He will have less of an everyday role but he will continue to have an important strategic role not just with the Red Sox but also within Major League Baseball.”

Kennedy, 42, has reported to Lucchino, and has overseen the club’s business operations, a broad set of responsibilities that includes corporate sponsorship, broadcasting, ticketing and marketing.

Kennedy, who was a classmate of former Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein at Brookline (Massachusetts) High School, helped create Fenway Sports Management (FSM), formerly known as the Fenway Sports Group, in 2004.

He has been involved in FSM’s assorted business interests such as the Liverpool Football Club, NESN and Roush Fenway Racing.

Kennedy worked under Lucchino in San Diego as the Padres executive director of corporate partnerships and broadcasting before moving back home in March of 2002 to work with the current Red Sox ownership group.

PIRATES: Left-hander J.A. Happ joined Pittsburgh on Saturday and threw in the bullpen, getting ready to join a rotation that will need him for at least a few weeks.

The Pirates optioned left-hander Bobby LaFromboise back to Triple-A Indianapolis to open a roster spot for Happ, who was acquired from Seattle in a trade on Friday.

ORIOLES: Right-hander Mike Wright went on the 15-day disabled list because of a left calf strain.

YANKEES: Right-hander Nick Rumbelow was recalled from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre while another righty, Nick Goody, was optioned to the Triple-A club.

WHITE SOX: Outfielder J.B. Shuck went on the 15-day disabled list for a strained left hamstring while right-handed pitcher Scott Carroll was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte.

Shuck, who was hitting .278 with 11 RBI in 54 games, was injured in Friday’s loss to the Yankees.

ROCKIES: Right-hander Kyle Kendrick and outfielder Corey Dickerson went on the 15-day DL.

Kendrick left Friday’s 7-0 loss to the Cardinals after one inning with shoulder inflammation. Dickerson broke two ribs while diving for Jason Heyward’s line drive during Thursday’s 9-8 loss to the Cardinals.

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