WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals appointed Miguel Cairo as interim manager on Monday, July 7, 2025, following a major organizational overhaul. Cairo replaces Dave Martinez, who and general manager Mike Rizzo were dismissed on Sunday. Cairo, 51, has served as the Nationals’ bench coach since 2024 and occasionally filled in for Martinez. Interim general manager Mike DeBartolo, who succeeded Rizzo, announced the appointment.
“Miguel is well-respected in our organization and around baseball,” DeBartolo said. “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.”
Cairo brings prior interim managerial experience to the role. In 2022, while serving as bench coach for the Chicago White Sox, he managed the final 34 games of the season, leading the team to an 18-16 record. His extensive baseball background includes a 17-year playing career in Major League Baseball with teams such as the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds.
After retiring in 2013, Cairo transitioned to coaching and front-office roles. He worked as a special assistant to the general manager for the Cincinnati Reds until 2017, then served as a Minor League infield coordinator for the New York Yankees in 2020. He was the White Sox bench coach from 2021 to 2022 and held a Minor League infield coordinator position with the Mets in 2023 before joining the Nationals.
The Nationals will play their first game under Cairo’s leadership on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, against the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis. This game marks the beginning of a critical period for the organization, which is navigating both a managerial transition and significant roster decisions. The team also holds the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, set to begin on Sunday, July 13, 2025, adding to the importance of this week.
Cairo’s appointment follows a turbulent period for the Nationals, who parted ways with Martinez after his tenure as manager and Rizzo after his long stint as general manager. Martinez, who led the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019, and Rizzo, a key figure in building that championship team, were dismissed as part of a broader organizational reset. DeBartolo, now steering the front office on an interim basis, is tasked with guiding the team through the remainder of the 2025 season while the organization searches for permanent replacements.
Cairo’s role as interim manager will focus on stabilizing the clubhouse and maintaining competitiveness in the second half of the season. His experience as a bench coach and interim manager, combined with his extensive playing career, positions him to lead a roster that includes both veterans and young talent. The Nationals’ performance under Cairo could influence the team’s direction as it approaches the draft and the offseason.
The 2025 MLB Draft represents a pivotal opportunity for the Nationals to bolster their farm system. Holding the top pick, the team is expected to select a high-impact player, with speculation already swirling about potential candidates. The draft’s timing, immediately following Cairo’s first week as interim manager, underscores the organization’s dual focus on immediate on-field results and long-term roster development.
As Cairo takes the helm, the Nationals aim to regroup and refocus. His leadership will be tested early, starting with the series against the Cardinals, a team vying for playoff contention. The Nationals’ front office, led by DeBartolo, will continue to evaluate the team’s needs while preparing for the draft and beyond.
