Washington Nationals give GM Rizzo new contract

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has signed a new contract and been given the title of President of Baseball Operations.

The Nationals announced the deal in a news release on Thursday night, when the team did not have a game.

A year after winning the NL East and leading the major leagues with 98 wins, Washington is 52-56 and entered Thursday trailing the division-leading Atlanta Braves by 11 games.

Rizzo gained plenty of attention in 2012 for deciding to shut down pitcher Stephen Strasburg in September.

Rizzo was hired by the Nationals as an assistant GM in 2006, and was promoted to general manager in 2009.

The club called his new deal a “long-term contract” but did not specify its length.