http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4150536

PHOENIX (AP)—The Arizona Diamondbacks fired Bob Melvin on Thursday, hoping a new manager will be able to get the most out of their talented core of young players.

The Diamondbacks said they will select Melvin’s replacement at a Chase Field news conference on Friday afternoon.

Melvin’s firing comes after a disappointing start by the Diamondbacks, who entered Thursday 8 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Melvin, who went 337-340 in four-plus seasons, had one year left on a contract he received after being named the 2007 NL Manager of the Year.

Hitting coach Rick Schu also was fired, and pitching coach Bryan Price resigned