WASHINGTON >> Manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo were fired by the Washington Nationals in moves that were surprising for their timing, even if the club is more than halfway through its sixth consecutive losing season since winning the 2019 World Series.

The team announced the changes Sunday just hours after Washington’s 6-4 loss at home completed a sweep by the Boston Red Sox. The Nationals are 37-53 and last in the NL East; the only National League club with a worse record is the Colorado Rockies.

But the amateur draft is just a week away, and Washington has the No. 1 overall pick.

Senior VP and assistant GM Mike DeBartolo is taking over for Rizzo on an interim basis. Bench coach Miguel Cairo was named interim manager Monday.

“Miguel is well-respected in our organization and around baseball,” DeBartolo said. “A diligent worker and student of the game, he has a proven track record of showing strong leadership in a variety of situations, and I believe that his voice and energy will serve as a catalyst to our team and our fan base in the second half of the season.”

Twins slugger Buxton becomes 4th participant in next week’s Home Run Derby >> Twins outfielder and Georgia native Byron Buxton was announced as the fourth participant in the Home Run Derby on Monday.

The derby will take place next Monday, the night before the All-Star Game, at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Buxton joins Nationals outfielder James Wood, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh in the competition. Buxton, who has 20 homers this season, is from Baxley, Georgia, and was the second overall pick by the Twins in the 2012 draft.

Basketball

Warriors involved in NBA’s biggest trade ever >> As part of the first-ever seven-team trade in NBA history, the Warriors added a rookie from the 2025 NBA Draft to their roster.

In a swap that also included the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns, big names such as Kevin Durant and Jalen Green will switch teams.

Rockets selection Jahmai Mashack, the last pick in the draft out of Tennessee via Etiwanda-Rancho Cucamonga, was also included. The Warriors acquired him, then sent him along to Memphis in a separate deal that brought in Will Richard, the No. 56 overall pick from Florida. The draft rights to 2021 Warriors draftee Justinian Jessup also went to the Grizzlies in that deal.

Powell joining Heat, Collins to Clippers, Love and Anderson to Utah in 3-team trade >> The Miami Heat are acquiring Norman Powell, John Collins is going to the Los Angeles Clippers and Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson are headed to the Utah Jazz as parts of a three-team trade.

Also in the deal: at least one second-round draft pick, going from the Clippers to Utah, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not gotten the required approval from the NBA.

Powell averaged 21.8 points last season for the Clippers and is a career 40% shooter from 3-point range. Collins averaged 19 points in 40 games for the Jazz last season, while Love averaged 5.3 points in 23 games with the Heat and Anderson averaged 6.7 points in 25 games after being traded to Miami.

Orlando Signs Banchero to Rookie Max Extension >> Paolo Banchero has agreed to the richest contract in Orlando Magic history, a five-year extension that is worth $239 million and could reach about $287 million should he become eligible for a supermax deal.

Banchero was the rookie of the year in 2022-23, living up to his billing after being the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He was an All-Star in his second season and was well on his way to that again last season before an injury.

He finished the season averaging 25.9 points and 7.5 rebounds, both career highs, and led the Magic to the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

Haliburton officially out for 2026 season >> The Indiana Pacers won’t be rushing guard Tyrese Haliburton back to the court next season as he recovers from a torn right Achilles tendon.

Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a news conference that he has no doubt Haliburton, “will be back better than ever. ... He will not play next year, though. We would not jeopardize that now. Don’t get any hopes up that he will play.”