The Washington Nationals have announced Dusty Baker won't return as manager.

Baker was hired by the Nationals in 2016. The Nationals won the NL East in each season with the team.

"Even though this ultimately wasn’t our season, we remain devoted to that cause," wrote the Lerner family in a statement. "In further pursuit of that goal, we have decided to make a change in leadership and begin the process of finding a new manager. This was an incredibly difficult decision for us. Dusty Baker led the team to the first back-to-back division titles in our history and represented our club with class on and off the field. He is one of the true gentleman in our sport, and we thank him for the successes that we enjoyed together over the last two years. We wish him nothing but the best going forward."

The Nationals' next manager will by Bryce Harper's fourth since his debut in 2012. Harper will be a free agent after the 2018 season.