CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs 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.

“I think the big thing is just the overall performance was not there,” Lester said. “This is something that we tried to manage and get through. It just got to a point where you’re doing a disservice to your team by going out there and not being able to perform.

“You feel like you can’t help (going on the DL), but at the same time I wasn’t helping out there. Let’s get this thing right and get back to being myself.”

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

“Let’s just give him a break right now,” manager Joe Maddon said before Chicago’s 7-4 win in the series opener against Toronto. “He’s on board with everything. We’re pretty sure it’s going to be a minimal kind of a stay.”

Reliever Justin Grimm also was placed on the DL with an infection in his right index finger. Pitchers Felix Pena and Rob Zastryzny were recalled from Triple-A Iowa.

Grimm got the loss in the series finale against the Reds, allowing rookie Phillip Ervin’s tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning. The right-hander is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 39 games this year.

Lester is 8-7 with a 4.37 ERA this season. He made at least 32 starts and pitched at least 202 2/3 innings in each of the previous five years.

POMERANZ EXITS

BOSTON — Boston Red Sox lefthander Drew Pomeranz left Friday night’s game against the New York Yankees in the middle of a batter with back spasms.

With a light rain falling most of the early innings, Pomeranz pulled up after throwing his second pitch to Chase Headley in the fourth. After talking with manager John Farrell and the training staff, Brandon Workman was called in from the bullpen to relieve him.

Pomeranz was 12-4 with a 3.39 ERA entering the game. He had won six straight decisions and hadn’t lost since June 11.

SCHERZER SCRATCHED

SAN DIEGO — Max Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled start Friday night and placed on the 10-day disabled list with a sore neck.

The Washington Nationals turned to left-hander Matt Grace to face the San Diego Padres.

Manager Dusty Baker announced the move about two hours before first pitch.

Scherzer was coming off a 10-strikeout performance against San Francisco.

Grace is 1-0 with a 4.46 ERA.