Raul Ibanez has withdrawn from consideration for the Tampa Bay Rays' managerial position, according to a report, leaving Kevin Cash and Don Wakamatsu as finalists for the job.
The Tampa Tribune says Ibanez withdrew because of family concerns.
Cash, who turns 37 on Saturday, interviewed Wednesday. He has been Cleveland's bullpen coach the past two seasons. Before that, the Tampa native spent 2012 as an advance scout for the Blue Jays. He had an eight-year major league career as a catcher.
Wakamatsu, 51, who interviewed Tuesday, is the Royals' bench coach. He spent four years as a minor league manager, managed the Mariners from the start of the 2009 season until August 2010, and also had served as a bench coach for the Rangers, A's and Blue Jays.
The Rays are expected to announce a hire Friday. Joe Maddon left after the 2014 season to become manager of the Cubs.
