Washington Nationals Fire General Manager Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

The Washington Nationals shook up their organization on Sunday evening. They fired General Manager Mike Rizzo and Manager Dave Martinez this evening. Mike DeBartolo will take over as the team’s Interim GM. The franchise will announce the interim manager on Monday. Mark D. Lerner, Managing Principal Owner, cited a reason for the change as “the need for a fresh approach and new energy.”

Rizzo had been with the Washington Nationals since 2007. He served in various roles, including as the General Manager and President of Baseball Operations. Martinez had been the team’s skipper since the 2018 season. He helped guide the team to the 2019 World Series. He ended his tenure with a 500-622 record. Where do the Washington Nationals go from here?

Washington Nationals Team Outlook

BREAKING: The Washington Nationals have fired general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 6, 2025

It has been a tough 2025 campaign for the Nationals. At 37-53, they are in last place in the National League East. Martinez and Rizzo were presumably done in by the team looking like it would miss the MLB Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.

The Washington Nationals also struggled in June. The month included an 11-game losing streak. They also lost all three games this weekend at home to the Boston Red Sox. Washington parting ways with Rizzo has a curious timing to it. The 2025 MLB Draft is a week away. That will not give DeBartolo much time to get up to speed and help bolster the team’s roster.

Final Thoughts

Washington concludes the first half of the regular season with a six-game road trip. It begins on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Nationals then travel to take on the Milwaukee Brewers. The Nationals will look to succeed as the new chapter of the organization commences.