MLB notebook: Baker out as Nationals manager

Oct 21, 2017 - 12:12 AM The Washington Nationals have won four National League East division titles since 2012 under three different managers.

But the Nationals are still looking for a postseason series win and some stability in the dugout, as the club announced Friday that manager Dusty Baker will not return in 2018 after his two-year contract expired.

The Nationals won the National League East in both seasons under Baker in 2016 and 2017 and lost at home in Game 5 each year in the NLDS. Washington won 95 games in the first year under Baker and was 97-65 this season, winning the division by 20 games.

"I'm surprised and disappointed," the 68-year-old Baker told USA Today Sports.



--The Detroit Tigers opted for experience in their managerial search and announced the appointment of Ron Gardenhire to run the club with a three-year contract.

Gardenhire, who turns 60 on Tuesday, is deeply familiar with the American League Central after spending 13 seasons in the division as manager of the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota made six postseason appearances during his tenure from 2002-2014.



--Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy underwent surgery to repair damage to the articular cartilage in his right knee, the team announced.

Murphy, 32, will begin the rehab process immediately.

He never revealed he was dealing with any injury.

Murphy hit .322 with 23 home runs and 93 RBIs in 144 games in 2017, his second season with the Nationals after spending the first part of his career with the New York Mets.



--Tigers general manager Al Avila announced that the team will not pick up the $16 million club option on right-hander Anibal Sanchez.

Instead the Tigers will pay him a $5 million buyout.

Sanchez, 34, had a difficult season. He was 3-7 with a 6.41 ERA in 28 appearances, including 17 starts. He allowed 26 home runs in 105 1/3 innings.

Sanchez accepted a demotion to Triple-A Toledo during the season with the hope that it would help him regain a spot in the Tigers' rotation. He started nine games for the Tigers after August 1 and was 0-6 with a 4.88 ERA in those contests.