Dusty Baker hopes to return as manager of the Washington Nationals in 2018 after another playoff exit.

“It’s up to (the Nats),” one person familiar with the situation said. 

The Nationals have yet to clarify Baker's status.

“Why should he be fired? They had so many injuries. They lost (Adam) Eaton. (Trea) Turner was out a lot. And they had many other injuries. Plus, their bullpen was a mess in the first half,” one MLB manager said. “What did he do wrong? He had (Max) Scherzer on the mound. He did the right thing,” one NL exec said.