PITTSBURGH — Bryan Price will return as the Reds manager in 2018, multiple sources have told The Enquirer.

Price was on a one-year deal with an option for 2018. Although his contract had a clause that required the Reds to tell him about the option before the end of the season, he was informed in July that he would be the manager of the team next season.

"I think everybody that's here with the staff is really complete convicted in what we're doing and seeing this through to the other side — we want to be here when the team turns the corner and we're talking about playing baseball in October again," Price said following Saturday's 5-0 loss to the Pirates. "Nobody wants to bail on this. We want this. First of all, I'm really fortunate to have the opportunity to come back for a fifth year. The win-loss with me is not great in my time here, my four years, but I think we're handling adversity and handling it well. I think the players are responding to the staff and what we're doing. They like playing together and they're a good bunch. I think we have a lot better days ahead."

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The Reds are 58-78 following Saturday's loss, but for the second straight season have shown improvement in the second half. This year they are 17-15 beginning July 30.

The Reds' season has been marked by injuries to its pitching staff since Homer Bailey had elbow surgery days before the team reported to spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., in February.

Anthony DeSclafani, scheduled for the second straight year to start Opening Day, was again sidelined by injuries in spring training. He has yet to appear in a game this season. Brandon Finnegan made just five starts for the Reds before his season was cut short. In all, the Reds have used 29 different pitchers this season and 15 different starters.

Reds starters have gone 36-60 with a 5.86 ERA this season, the worst mark in baseball. Right-hander Tim Adleman, who started the season in Louisville and is currently in the team’s bullpen, has led the team in innings with 119 1/3. Scott Feldman, signed late in winter to help bolster the bullpen and compete for a rotation spot, leads the team with 21 starts. A knee injury ended Feldman’s season last month.

However, there have been some bright spots, including the emergence of rookie Luis Castillo and the progress shown in the last month by rookies Sal Romano and Robert Stephenson. In all, the Reds have used nine different rookie starters.

"I think it's really great because I think every year he's been here he's been dealt a really bad hand as far as injuries are concerned," Reds starter Homer Bailey said. "It's really hard to judge a guy and what he's doing with a ballclub when he's never gone a full season with any players that he thought he was going to have from the beginning. Whether that's our fault as players or our medical staff not getting MRIs, whatever it is, I'd really like to see it for him to have a healthy squad at the beginning of the year and see what we can do going into a season."

Price, 55, is in his fourth year as the Reds manager. The Reds are 266-355 in Price's tenure. Originally signed to a three-year deal after the 2013 season, Price was signed to a one-year deal with an option for the 2018 season.

The rest of Price's coaching staff is expected to be invited to return.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated regarding the date by which Price had to be told about the option on his contract.