BOSTON -- Former Detroit Tigers general manager Bill Lajoie was hired by the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday as an assistant to newly named GM Theo Epstein.

The 68-year-old Lajoie spent two years with the Milwaukee Brewers after 10 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, where he was a scout and special assistant to the general manager. He spent 23 years with the Tigers organization from 1968-91, including eight seasons as GM.

The 28-year-old Epstein was promoted to general manager of the Red Sox on Monday, and the team said it would surround him with more experienced baseball people. Mike Port, who had been interim GM in Boston, and former Phillies GM Lee Thomas have also been offered jobs.