Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told Bill Ladson of MLB.com on Friday afternoon that Jim Riggleman will manage the club in 2011.  Last offseason, Riggleman signed a one-year deal with a team option for 2011.

Entering Friday’s action, Washington was 42-54 but on pace to improve from last season, when it went 59-103. It was Riggleman who brought accountability back into the Nationals’ locker room for the first time since Frank Robinson managed the club from 2002-06.

“Yes, he will be back next season. He has done a terrific job,” Rizzo said. “We have a great relationship. He is a baseball rat. I can’t beat him to the ballpark. One of these days, I’m going to beat him to the ballpark. He runs at 8:00 a.m. and he is at the ballpark by 11.

“He is a terrific baseball manager. He has great respect from his peers in this game. When the game starts, he is as good as anybody in the game. He has the respect in the clubhouse. He is a diligent worker and he is a loyal employee.”