Nationals hire Cubs’ Martinez

Dave Martinez, who has been the bench coach for Joe Madden for the past decade, agreed to a three-year contract plus an option to become the new manager of the Washington Nationals.

It will be his first time as a manager in the major leagues.

Martinez, 53, and Maddon were together with the Chicaco Cubs for the past three seasons, including that team’s 2016 World Series championship, and with the Tampa Bay Rays before that. Martinez replaces Dusty Baker as Washington’s manager.

Baker was let go a little more than a week ago. He had been given only a twoyear contract and was dismissed after leading the Nationals to two NL East titles — with 95 wins in 2016 and 97 wins in 2017.

Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and the rest of the Nationals were eliminated with a onerun loss in Game 5 of an National League Division Series each time. The Nationals have won four division titles since 2012 but have yet to win a playoff series.

Martinez is Washington’s sixth manager in a 10-season span.

The Nationals’ agreement with Martinez was first reported by The Washington Post.

Athletics

Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell, 26, was arrested in Scottsdale, Ariz., after a food delivery person alleged he pointed a gun at her.

Maxwell was booked on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. He was the only player in Major League Baseball to take a knee this year during the national anthem to protest racial injustice.

“We were disappointed to learn of the allegations. We take this situation and ongoing investigation seriously,” the team said in a statement. “We are gathering information from the proper authorities and do not have further comment at this time.”