Second round in Giants’ manager search

The hunt for a Giants manager should accelerate over the next few days, with the World Series over Wednesday night, amid news that several candidates are getting second interviews.

Astros bench coach Joe Espada, freed from his duties with the Series, said he would return to San Francisco this week for another interview. On Wednesday, MLB.com reported that Royals qualitycontrol coach Pedro Grifol will get one as well.

Justfired Phillies manager Gabe Kapler also is expected back.

Kapler, who worked under Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi in Los Angeles (and was involved in a controversy there), is one of two known candidates to replace Bruce Bochy who has bigleague managing experience.

The other is former A’s manager Bob Geren, who confirmed to The Chronicle’s Susan Slusser that he interviewed with Zaidi. The Dodgers under Zaidi and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman hired Geren to be manager Dave Roberts’ bench coach, the job he still holds.

“I enjoyed it very much,” Geren said, referring to the interview. “They have some incredibly intelligent people, as you would expect Farhan to surround himself with. I’m happy with the way it went.”

Those returning for second interviews are expected to meet with ownership representatives, including team President and CEO Larry Baer, who wasn’t involved in initial interviews.

When Zaidi began the search, he promised an open process with eight to 10 candidates. That so many are returning for second interviews suggests he didn’t have a preconceived frontrunner.

One of the two internal candidates who interviewed, thirdbase coach Ron Wotus, was informed he would not get the job. Bench coach Hensley Meulens’ status is unclear.

Pitching updates: The Giants acquired lefty Tyler Anderson on waivers from the Rockies and designated reliever Kyle Barraclough, a St. Mary’s alum, for assignment.

Anderson, 29, spent four seasons with Colorado and compiled an 1824 record and 4.69 ERA in 73 games. He’s rehabbing from June knee surgery.

And Matt Herges, the Giants’ bullpen coach for the past two seasons, will become the Diamondbacks’ pitching coach, a majorleague source confirmed to The Chronicle on Wednesday night.