MLB notebook: Mets reportedly bring in Perez for interview

[October 15, 2019]  The New York Mets are considering ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez in their managerial search, according to SNY.tv, which reported he was in New York on Monday for a second interview.

The first interview was via phone. Mickey Callaway was fired by the Mets on Oct. 3 after two seasons as their manager.

Other reported candidates are former New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, ex-major league outfielder Carlos Beltran, Minnesota Twins bench coach Derek Shelton, Arizona Diamondbacks director of player development Mike Bell and Mets quality control coach Luis Rojas.

During his 13-year career in the majors, mostly as a first baseman, outfielder or designated hitter, Perez, 50, played for the California Angels (1993-95), Cincinnati Reds (1996-98), St. Louis Cardinals (1999-2000, 2002-03), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004-05), Cleveland Indians (2006) and Seattle Mariners (2006).

--Former Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler is drawing interest from a number of major league teams, the latest being the Chicago Cubs, who said they plan to interview him and Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada this week for their open position.

Kapler was a member of the Boston Red Sox from 2003-06 at the same time current Cubs executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer held similar positions with the American League club.

Kapler, 44, was fired Thursday after compiling a 161-163 record with no playoff appearances in two seasons with the Phillies. On Saturday, MLB Network reported that the San Francisco Giants want to interview Kapler as a possible candidate to fill Bruce Bochy's vacant managerial position.

--Rick Honeycutt is out as Los Angeles Dodgers pitching coach after 14 seasons and will be replaced by bullpen coach Mark Prior, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.

Friedman told reporters Honeycutt will remain with the organization as a special assistant.

Eduardo Perez of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (L) is tagged out at home plate by Baltimore Orioles catcher Javy Lopez, in the first inning of their game at Camden Yards in Baltimore, April 21, 2004. REUTERS/Joe Giza

The switch came following the Dodgers' loss in the National League Division Series to the Washington Nationals after Los Angeles won a franchise-record 106 games during the regular season. It was the club's seventh straight playoff appearance, with no World Series titles during that span.

--Victor Robles returned from a hamstring injury to start in center field Monday night for the Washington Nationals as they hosted the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. The Nationals began the night with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Robles, who was batting eighth, singled to lead off the third inning and scored the game's first run on a two-out single by Adam Eaton.

The 22-year-old Robles, who batted .255 with 17 homers, 65 RBIs and 28 steals in 155 games this season, has missed five straight postseason games since suffering the injury in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

--Field Level Media

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