Riggleman selected as Nats’ full-time manager

The Washington Nationals selected Jim Riggleman as their 2010 manager, promoting the former interim skipper to the full-time position.

Riggleman was informed of the decision Wednesday, according to club sources. A formal announcement is expected Thursday.

General manager Mike Rizzo did not return messages Wednesday night, but he said earlier in the day that the club would name its manager by the end of the week.

Riggleman, who turned 57 on Monday, appeared to be the front-runner for some time out of a pool of candidates that included former major league managers Bobby Valentine and Bob Melvin, plus former All-Star first baseman Don Mattingly.

The Rockville native was well-respected by Washington players and staff members after taking over for Manny Acta during the All-Star break and posting a 33-42 record the rest of the season. Though his contract expired Oct. 31, he didn’t pursue other jobs, and the Nationals recently supplied him with a new laptop and cell phone.

The Nationals wanted to interview Mattingly, but the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach declined the request after his team was eliminated from the playoffs. Rizzo also spoke to Melvin, who previously managed Seattle and Arizona and could be in line to join Washington’s staff as bench coach.