Report: Dodgers narrow manager search to Kapler, Roberts

The Los Angeles Dodgers are closing in on naming their next manager.

Los Angeles has trimmed the list of candidates down to Gabe Kapler and Dave Roberts, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

Bud Black, who was in contention, is reportedly out of the running and will instead take a front-office job with the Los Angeles Angels, according to multiple reports.

The Dodgers have been on the lookout for a new bench boss since Don Mattingly and the club mutually agreed to part ways on Oct. 22.

Kapler, 40, emerged as a favorite for the position in late October, after spending last season as Dodgers director of player development.

Although he comes with only one year of managerial experience under his belt - he was the skipper for the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox in 2007 - he has a close relationship with Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, having worked together with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Roberts spent 2015 as the bench coach for the San Diego Padres, and likely won't return if he doesn't land the Dodgers' gig since he didn't receive an offer to manage the Padres, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports. The vacancy in San Diego was filled by Andy Green on Oct. 29.

The 43-year-old Roberts has one game of experience as a MLB manager, filling in for the Padres after they fired Black last season.

Other candidates the Dodgers interviewed included Black, Kirk Gibson, Darin Erstad, Dave Martinez, and Bob Geren.