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Mike Rizzo voiced his support for Davey Martinez today, saying the manager’s track record of success on the field and handling of the clubhouse has earned him the right to continue leading a Nationals team mired in its worst losing streak in 17 years.
Making his weekly radio appearance on 106.7 The Fan’s “The Sports Junkies,” Rizzo was asked if the Nats’ situation differed from three other major league clubs that fired their managers earlier this season: the Pirates, Rockies and Orioles.
“Here’s what I’ll say about that: Pittsburgh hasn’t won a World Series since ‘We are Family.’ Colorado has never won a World Series. And Baltimore, Davey Johnson (actually, Joe Altobelli) was the last guy who won the World Series with Baltimore. This guy has proven through trials and tribulations that he can handle a roster. He can handle a veteran-laden team. And he’s developing at the big league level. My track record is: I have fired managers in midseason. I fired managers after the season. I’ve fired coaches midseason. I’ve fired coaches after the season. We’re all being evaluated. We’ve all got to look ourselves in the mirror.
“But we are at a point right now where we’re moving forward with our development of these young kids. I think Davey still has the pulse of the clubhouse. He’s a great clubhouse presence, and he’s a calming presence. And I think that once we get through this thing and win a couple of games – which we will – that we can right the ship and continue progressing towards winning the championship, whenever that is. And I think that’s where my feelings are right now.”
Martinez, who led the Nationals from a 19-31 start to a World Series title in 2019 but has not enjoyed a winning season since, with the franchise embarking on a roster teardown and rebuilding effort in July 2021, has come under increased scrutiny over the last several days as his team extended its losing streak to its largest number since the 2008 club lost 12 in a row. He also faced criticism for his response to a question following Saturday’s loss to the Marlins about whether players or coaches were to blame for the team’s struggling offense.
“It’s never on the coaches,” Martinez said, later adding: “It’s always been about the players, always.”
Rizzo, who said he spoke to his manager after that incident, insisted he doesn’t believe those comments will have any long-lasting ramifications within the clubhouse.
“Dave Martinez is as player-friendly a manager as I’ve ever had,” the longtime GM said. “He and Dusty Baker, to me, run the clubhouse like no one else I’ve ever had in my career. So when you talk about one of the player managers in the league, Davey is one of them. This guy does 500, 600 interviews a year. He does two a day – pregame, postgame – every time. And he’s flawless. But he got caught … in a frustrated moment and kind of lashed out. I think it was out of frustration.
“Here’s my take on that situation: There’s onus on the players. There’s onus on the coaches. There’s onus on the manager. And there’s a great onus on the general manager to do a better job. We’ve all got to look in the mirror. … It’s hard to lose 10 games in a row. I’ve never lost 10 games in a row. This is my 43rd year in professional baseball; never lost 10 in a row. It’s tough. But when tough times come, you have to deal with it. And to me, Davey is the same manager in the clubhouse when there’s no cameras on him and there’s no media in the room. He’s the same guy he was in that Marlins series as he was Oct. 30, 2019. Same guy.”
* Paul DeJong is back in the lineup for Double-A Harrisburg tonight, batting third and playing third base in his second game on a rehab assignment. The veteran infielder, who suffered multiple facial fractures when he was struck by a fastball two months ago, emerged well from his rehab debut, going 1-for-3 at the plate while wearing a helmet with an extended ear flap.
Mason Thompson was originally scheduled to make his Harrisburg rehab debut Tuesday but asked to be pushed back a day, according to Martinez. The reliever, in the final stages of recovery from his second career Tommy John surgery, is expected to throw one inning tonight.
Derek Law departed D.C. for Harrisburg this afternoon, set to make his rehab debut Thursday. The veteran reliever has been out since late March with right forearm inflammation.
* Juan Yepez, who was designated for assignment Monday to clear a spot on the Nationals’ 40-man roster for rookie third baseman Brady House, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester. Yepez, who produced a .764 OPS in 62 games with the Nats last season, will remain in the organization but is no longer on the 40-man roster.
