Appointed by Nationals team president Stan Kasten to oversee the club's baseball operations department in the wake of Jim Bowden's resignation, Rizzo will serve as Washington's de facto GM for the foreseeable future.

"My goal has always been to be a major league general manager," he said. "As Stan said, we have a good feel for each other right now, and we have a good group put together here with the Nationals."

Rizzo, 48, has become known as a top scout with a keen eye for talent. Before coming to Washington, he was the Diamondbacks' scouting director for six years, during which time he drafted such future major-leaguers as Brandon Webb, Stephen Drew, Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds. He has had a positive impact with the Nationals as well, helping rebuild a farm system that was among baseball's worst when the Lerner family took over ownership of the franchise.

Rizzo helped raise his profile in recent weeks when he flew to the Dominican Republic and headed up the Nationals' decision to move out of a facility owned by now-fired special assistant Jose Rijo, scout out a new facility and make the change. Praised by Kasten for his work down there, Rizzo earned the promotion. He'll try to use his knowledge of the Nationals' roster and front office to help him adjust to the new responsibility.

"I do know the major league team and I know the minor league system very well," Rizzo said. "The front-office team, we've been together for a long time. It's a very comfortable transition for me into new responsibilities and working with people I've grown accustomed to."