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As Lerner family ponders selling franchise, Washington Nationals focused to 'go play good baseball'

WASHINGTON -- The Lerner family that has owned the Washington Nationals since 2006 is exploring the possibility of selling the Major League Baseball franchise.

Manager Dave Martinez said before the team's game at Atlanta that managing principal owner Mark Lerner called him Monday morning to deliver the news. Lerner, who has taken over a lead role with the team from his father, Ted, has in recent years said the family would never sell the team.

"To say the least, I was shocked," Martinez said. "Those are big decisions that the Lerner family had to make.