By Jeff Louderback

Highly respected catching instructor Gary Tuck announced his retirement as Red Sox bullpen coach, creating an opening that some media members speculated would be filled by longtime catcher and team captain Jason Varitek. That is not likely to happen, though, according to WEEI.com.

The 40-year-old Varitek was named special assistant to the general manager earlier this offseason by Red Sox GM Ben Cherington. Alex Speier of WEEI.com reported that Varitek prefers to spend time with his family, and since serving as a bullpen coach would require the same time demands and travel schedule as a player, the front office role is more appealing.

Chad Epperson, who has been a roving catching instructor in the Red Sox minor league system the last two seasons and temporarily filled in for Tuck as Red Sox bullpen coach last year when Tuck took a leave of absence, is a possibility for the position. So is former Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman, who has spent two years in the Red Sox system as a hitting coach and is slated to do that at Double-A Portland in 2013.