Mike Rizzo indicated Wednesday that Dave Martinez will return as the Washington Nationals' manager next season.

"I haven't considered any other scenario," Rizzo said.

The Nationals fell to 69-71 with a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Despite entering the season with high expectations, they are 7.5 games back in the National League East and nine games back in the Wild-Card race.

"I think Davey's doing a great job in managing this team," Rizzo said. "He's managed them through a lot of trials and tribulations that a lot of first-year managers haven't had to go through, and to have a team playing with the exuberance and energy level that they're playing at at this point I think is a testament to Davey and the staff and the way that they feel about him in the clubhouse."