HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros plan to interview Mike Cubbage, Tony Pena and Jerry Royster on Tuesday for the manager's job that opened when Larry Dierker resigned last week.

Twins talk to Pena

Former major league catcher Tony Pena interviewed for the Twins' vacant managerial job during the weekend, two people with knowledge of the search told the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Sunday. Pena, manager of Triple-A New Orleans of the Houston Astros organization, met with Twins general manager Terry Ryan at an undisclosed location. Ryan would not comment on Pena's candidacy. "I'm not talking about that subject," he said. "I feel the best way to handle the search is privately." The Twins have interviewed third base coach Ron Gardenhire, hitting coach Scott Ullger and all-purpose coach Paul Molitor. Pena is the first known outside candidate to be interviewed for the job vacated by Tom Kelly, who retired Oct.12 after more than 15 seasons. The Twins are expected to inquire about Yankees third base coach Willie Randolph when New York is through with the playoffs.

Cubbage is a bench coach with the Astros who has also been on the New York Mets' coaching staff and a manager in the Mets' minor league system.

Pena is a five-time all-star catcher who managed Triple-A New Orleans to the co-championship of the Pacific Coast League this season.

Pena told Houston television station KRIV that he interviewed Sunday for the manager's job with the Minnesota Twins.

"The interview went fine. It meant a lot to me that they thought enough of me to bring me in. This is a new career for me, and I feel I am capable of getting the job done," he said.

He declined to comment on the Houston position.

Royster, a bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, played 16 years for Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Diego, the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees.

The club said it will release candidates' names a day before scheduled interviews.

The Astros said in a statement that the organization will make no further comment about any candidate until the selection process is over.

Dierker, who led the Astros to four division titles in five years, resigned Thursday after Houston was swept in the NL division series by the Atlanta Braves.

The Astros were 2-12 under Dierker in the postseason.