Former Met Johnson set to take over Nats

CHICAGO -- Former Mets manager Davey Johnson is poised to take over as manager of the Washington Nationals, replacing Jim Riggleman, who abruptly resigned Thursday.

General manager Mike Rizzo said Saturday that Johnson has agreed to a deal, but there are a few technical items to figure out before the team can make an official announcement Sunday.

"It's language and dotting the Is and crossing the Ts kind of stuff," Rizzo said, without elaborating. "There is no signed document yet, so we want to make sure we have all our ducks in a row and everything is in place before we make any kind of announcement."

Johnson, who has not managed in the majors since 2000, will join the team in Chicago Sunday, fly with the Nationals to Los Angeles and take over Monday when they begin an interleague series against the Angels.

Interim manager John McLaren will run the team for Sunday's series finale against the White Sox and will be reassigned within the organization, Rizzo said.

McLaren will assist Rizzo in scouting and other duties.

Johnson, who has been a senior adviser with the Nationals since 2009, is expected to manage the team for the remainder of 2011 and then be part of a search committee to select a manager for 2012. He could be a candidate for the position.

"We just want to see how the season progresses and want to evaluate after that," Rizzo said. "Davey will be part of that evaluating process."

Johnson, 68, managed the Mets, Dodgers, Reds and Orioles in 14 seasons and compiled a 1,148-888 record. His 1986 Mets won the World Series and Johnson's clubs finished first or second 11 times during his 14 previous seasons managing. He hasn't managed since 2000 with the Dodgers.