Matt Williams to be named Nationals manager

Arizona Sports’ Paul Calvisi has confirmed Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams will be hired as the new manager of the Washington Nationals.

This story was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, and sources said the official announcement will take place after the World Series.

This will be the first big-league managing job for the former Diamondback player and coach.

Williams, 47, became a coach for the Diamondbacks in 2010 after several years as a team broadcaster. His name has been linked to the Washington managerial position for months. Davey Johnson retired as Nationals manager following the 2013 season and will transition into a consultant for the team.

Randy Knorr, who served as bench coach under Johnson and openly expressed interest in the managerial job, will reportedly remain as Williams’ bench coach.

Williams becomes the fourth member of Gibson’s 2013 staff to leave the organization. Pitching coach Charles Nagy and first base coach Steve Sax were relieved of their duties earlier this month, and hitting coach Don Baylor assumed the same duties with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.