Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner cited a failure to reach expectations and a "pivotal time" for the franchise when he announced the firings of longtime manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo.

Lerner also announced that assistant general manager Mike DeBartolo has been named as Rizzo's replacement on an interim basis. DeBartolo will immediately be tasked with running the draft room for next week's MLB Draft, in which the Nationals have the top pick.