The Washington Nationals have fired manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo following a disappointing weekend series against the Boston Red Sox. The team lost all three games at home, including two blowout defeats and a 6-4 loss on Sunday, which sealed the sweep. Their current record stands at 37 wins and 53 losses, keeping them at the bottom of the National League East.
This move signals a major shift within the organization, which has struggled for consistency since winning the World Series in 2019. The Nationals have missed the playoffs for five straight seasons and haven’t ranked higher than fourth place in their division since that championship run.
According to ESPN, the team has also faced serious scoring problems, averaging just 2.5 runs per game in June and losing 10 of their last 12 games. Despite having a roster filled with young, promising talent, progress has been slow, far from the expectations of team ownership.
In a statement, team principal owner Mark D. Lerner thanked Martinez and Rizzo for their years of service, acknowledging their key roles in the club’s historic 2019 title win. However, he emphasized the need for “a fresh approach and new energy” as the team moves forward.
Martinez, known for being passionate about his team, recently defended his coaching staff during a postgame interview, saying the players must take responsibility for performance on the field.
Mike DeBartolo, currently serving as senior vice president and assistant GM, will step in as interim general manager. The interim manager is expected to be announced on Monday.
Both Martinez and Rizzo played significant roles in shaping the current team. Rizzo’s blockbuster 2022 trade sent Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres in exchange for key prospects like CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, and James Wood, who are now part of the Nationals’ young core.
Even with new talent coming up, the team’s struggles have continued and missed scoring chances marked Sunday’s loss, as they left 15 runners on base.
The Nationals are expected to make more changes after the All-Star break as they try to rebuild momentum and reshape the future of the franchise.
