Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale agrees to extension

After managing the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 15-game improvement in 2015, Chip Hale reportedly agreed to a contract extension through the 2017 season on Thursday, according to Fox Sports.

Hale took the job after Kirk Gibson's 4 1/2-year tenure ended with a 98-loss season. While the Diamondbacks finished without a winning record for the fourth straight season, Arizona was within five games of first place in late August.

Hale had never managed in the majors before last season and signed a two-year deal with Arizona and the deal included a team option for 2017.

Before taking the job, Hale had extensive coaching experience with the New York Mets, Diamondbacks and Oakland Athletics. The former utility infielder was a coach for the Diamondbacks from 2007-2009 and also managed in their minor league system.

Arizona has not had a winning season since going 94-68 in 2011 under Gibson and Hale will face increased expectations following the offseason acquisitions of right-handers Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller.