Elia joins familiar faces with Rays

ST. PETERSBURG -- Much like Lou Piniella when he accepted the job to manage the Devil Rays, Lee Elia saw an opportunity to come home and couldn't resist.

A veteran of more than 40 seasons as a player, coach and manager, Elia withdrew his name from consideration as Piniella's replacement in Seattle on Tuesday and accepted a job to become the Rays hitting coach.

He joined Tom Foley and Billy Hatcher, who were coaches on former manager Hal McRae's staff, as the first three coaching hires by Piniella.

All three, Piniella said, will have two-year contracts.

"I've always had a thirst to work for the Devil Rays, but it never really seemed like it ever was going to materialize," said Elia, who lives in Odessa. "I visited with my dear friends in Seattle, my friends for 10 years, and as we went on through the process it just seemed to me this is where I should be.

"I should be in my home, working for the Devil Rays, getting involved with the community and being a part of what we did once before with Lou in 1993 in Seattle."

Foley and Hatcher were retained from last season's staff. And though Foley's duties as third-base coach likely won't change, Hatcher likely will move from bench coach to first-base coach.

"I'm excited to come back here and get this thing going again with the club," Foley said. "I'm looking forward to it next year."

Elia, 65, worked as a major-league field and coaching consultant for Seattle last season but was the Mariners hitting instructor from 1993-97 and saw Seattle become a contender after Piniella took over in 1993.

"He likes the hitting aspect of the game and he's good at it," Piniella said of Elia, who managed the Cubs in 1982-83 and Phillies in 1987-88. "I think with the young hitters that we have in our organization, it seemed to me like they could use a little more discipline and patience at home plate. What he teaches will be very good for them, the right tonic for them."

The hirings leave three spots available on the staff.

"I think by the end of the week we'll have a staff in order," Piniella said.

Tampa Bay general manager Chuck LaMar last week received permission to speak with Seattle bench coach John McLaren, bullpen coach Matt Sinatro and minor-league pitching instructor Chris Bosio.

McLaren was not among the finalists announced for the Mariners job on Tuesday. Sinatro was expecting a call from LaMar on Tuesday night. Bosio is scheduled to interview with the Rays on Thursday.

Triple-A Durham manager Bill Evers and Rays minor-league pitching coordinator Chuck Hernandez have talked to Piniella about spots on the major-league staff and remain under consideration.

"Those have been the names really," Piniella said. "We're talking about eight coaches. We've had a number of other calls, but right now we're focusing on those names."

Ripken won't seek O's job

BALTIMORE -- Cal Ripken is too busy to take a front-office job with his former team, the Orioles.

Ripken withdrew his name from the list of candidates to become the Orioles vice president of baseball operations -- a title equal to that of general manager.

Ripken, who played with the Orioles from 1981-2001, held informal discussions with owner Peter Angelos about the job. But the certain Hall of Famer ultimately decided the time wasn't right.

"I removed myself from consideration because, as exciting as the opportunity is, I am heavily involved with my youth initiative, the project in Aberdeen and the Cal Ripken Sr. foundation," Ripken said. "I discovered during the proceedings that for me, the timing just wasn't right."

Former Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan, Tigers assistant general manager Al Avila and former Expos general manager Jim Beattie are among those still considered to be candidates for the job. The Mets denied the Orioles permission to talk to assistant GM Jim Duquette.

ANGELS: Catcher Sal Fasano was released and right-hander Steve Green was activated from the 60-day disabled list.

DIAMONDBACKS: The $1.75-million option on left-hander Mike Myers was picked up.

MARINERS: The list of managerial candidates was trimmed to four finalists: former Cubs manager Jim Riggleman, former Rockies and Tigers manager Buddy Bell, Orioles bench coach Sam Perlozzo and Diamondbacks bench coach Bob Melvin.

MARLINS: Prospect Jason Stokes, the MVP of the Class A Midwest League as a first baseman for the Kane County Cougars, won the J.G. Taylor Spink Award as the Topps Minor League Player of the Year. He is the second Marlins player to win the award, joining pitcher Josh Beckett, who won it last year.

RANGERS: Former Yankees pitching coach Mark Connor was hired as bullpen coach and Don Wakamatsu was added as bench coach. ... Orel Hershiser was retained as pitching coach.

RED SOX: Left-handed reliever Alan Embree re-signed for two years and about $5.5-million.

TWINS: Right-handed reliever Bob Wells filed for free agency.

YANKEES: Steve Karsay injured his back while running on a treadmill and has been diagnosed with a herniated disc. He could have surgery as early as this week.

WILLIAMS HEARING: A court hearing over whether Ted Williams' daughter can challenge her half brother's desire to have the Hall of Famer's body cryogenically preserved was postponed. The hearing had been scheduled for today in Citrus County Circuit Court. No new date had been set.

JAPAN LEAGUE: Norihiro Nakamura, who hit 42 homers for the Kintetsu Buffaloes this season, became a free agent, clearing the way for a possible move to the major leagues.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.