WASHINGTON (AP) -Two people in baseball familiar with the Washington Nationals' plans tell The Associated Press that Jim Riggleman will be the team's manager next season.

Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made. The team is planning a news conference for Thursday.

Riggleman was promoted from bench coach to interim manager in July, replacing fired manager Manny Acta. The Nationals were 26-61 at the time and went 33-42 under Riggleman.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.