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Jocketty: Price's status safe for rest of season

CINCINNATI -- The Reds have lost 12 of their past 13 games, but manager Bryan Price will get to finish this season at the helm, as general manager Walt Jocketty and CEO Bob Castellini have no changes planned.

"There have been no discussions. We're not looking at anything else or anyone else," Jocketty said on Thursday.

Price's three-year contract runs through the 2016 season, but his situation for next year remains unclear.

"It's something we'll decide and talk about after the season," Jocketty said.

Earlier this week, FOX Sports reported that Hall of Famer Barry Larkin could be the team's manager next season, and it said that the former Reds great had already surveyed former teammates about possibly being coaches on his staff.

"It has never been discussed, at least not with me," Jocketty said.

When asked about status with the team this season, or in 2016, Price declined to comment.

With 36 games remaining, Cincinnati is 52-74, which is last in the National League Central. The team is trying to avoid its first 100-loss season since 1982, but the struggles have really accelerated since the late-July trades of starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake. The Reds have been using an all-rookie rotation since then, while the offense has also had trouble gaining traction.

Price and his coaches will be evaluated through that prism and, as Jocketty noted, the widespread injuries that the club sustained. All-Star catcher Devin Mesoraco, shortstop Zack Cozart and No. 2 starting pitcher Homer Bailey all suffered season-ending injuries, as did promising young rookie starter Jon Moscot.

"A lot of things have piled up," Jocketty said. "We knew when we traded those guys, that it would weaken the club, but it made sense at the time even though we knew we would struggle. We are trying to build the club going forward. The main thing we have to do is build up our talent."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast.
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