After meeting the Cincinnati Reds for a second interview Thursday, Joe Girardi retired from the Reds' search for executives, the newspaper said. L & # 39; athleticsKen Rosenthal.

The Reds have invited Girardi, Brad Ausmus and David Bell to participate in a second interview this week, but a club source said they should not be considered the only finalists. None of the other candidates previously interviewed for the position were informed of their elimination.

Rosenthal, an MLB network insider, wrote on Twitter that Girardi was the "Reds first choice for the manager" and planned to continue working for the MLB network.

Girardi, 54, led the New York Yankees from 2008 to 2017 and won a World Series title in 2009. He reportedly interviewed for the opening of the Texas Rangers leadership.

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Bell, originally from Cincinnati and who played at Moeller High School, is the manager of the San Francisco Giants Farm. He spent four seasons as manager of the Reds minor league and coached the St. Louis Cardinals for three years. His father, Buddy, remains in the Reds' organization as a senior advisor.

Bell would be a finalist for the Toronto Blue Jays director and was interviewed with the Rangers.

Ausmus led the Detroit Tigers from 2014 to 2017, finishing with a record of 314-332 and a playoff appearance. He was special assistant to the Los Angeles Angels general manager this season and would have been interviewed for his open leadership position.

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