Nationals Name New Manager After Firing Dave Martinez

Dave Martinez led the Washington Nationals to a World Series championship, and had been at the helm for the team for seven and a half seasons. But he won't get a chance to make it eight as the Nats have decided to cut ties with both their manager and the GM, Mike Rizzo, after their disappointing start to the 2025 campaign.

In his place, the Nationals have named Miguel Cairo as their interim manager.

The @Nationals announce Miguel Cairo will take over as their Interim Manager. pic.twitter.com/7GWw24mumH
— MLB (@MLB) July 7, 2025

Cairo, 51, has been the bench coach in DC for the last two years, and in his only previous stint as a manager in the major leagues, he was named to the position to replace an ailing Tony LaRussa in 2022, and led the Chicago White Sox to 18-16 record.

"Miguel is well-respected in our organization and around baseball," Nationals interim general manager Mike DeBartolo said in a statement. "A diligent worker and student of the game, he has a proven track record of showing strong leadership in a variety of situations, and I believe that his voice and energy will serve as a catalyst to our team and our fan base in the second half of the season."

The Nationals, felt to be ready to take the next step into contention this season with a number of promising young players in the midst of blossoming, instead have struggled all year, with a 37-53 record, last in the National League East Division.

Having been stuck in a rebuild for the last several seasons, the Nationals have the second-worst record in baseball over the last 5 1/2 seasons at 325-473.