Ian Desmond went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored versus the Marlins on Monday.

It's an early-season fluke, but Desmond has just three RBI to show for a .320 average, six doubles, a triple and two homers this year. And, oddly enough, the one time he drove in someone that wasn't himself, it happened on a sac fly.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo indicated Monday that he's open to a contract extension for shortstop Ian Desmond.

"We don't discuss negotiations with players and that type of thing," said Rizzo. "But we feel Ian is one of our leaders. He's one of the guys that is our core players and he's a guy we'd like to be with the Nationals for a long time." Desmond will make $3.8 million this season in his first year of arbitration and remains under team control through 2015. The 27-year-old shortstop didn't dismiss the possibility of an extension when asked on Monday, but also said that he's in no rush to get a deal done.

Ian Desmond went 2-for-3 with a homer Saturday as the Nationals topped the Cardinals 6-2.

Team USA picked Jimmy Rollins as its shortstop for the WBC, but one wonders if Desmond might not have the superior choice after he hit .292/.335/.511 last season. Perhaps he'll get his chance next time around. Desmond is 5-for-9 this spring.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday that he's "open minded" about exploring a contract extension with Ian Desmond.

The Nationals and Desmond avoided arbitration last month by agreeing to a one-year, $3.8 million contract. There haven't been any talks on an extension since, but since he remains under team control through 2015, there's no rush to get something done.

Nationals avoided arbitration with SS Ian Desmond by agreeing to a one-year, $3.8 million contract.

It's a healthy raise for Desmond, who was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The bump in pay is well earned, though, after the 27-year-old experienced a breakout year in 2012, batting .292/.335/.511 with 25 homers and 21 steals. He'll be the everyday shortstop again this season.

Bill Ladson of MLB.com writes that "it would not come as a surprise" if the Nationals engaged in contract extension talks with Ian Desmond this offseason.

Ladson reveals that the two sides had preliminary talks about an extension earlier this season. Desmond, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, had a breakout year for the Nats, batting .292/.335/.511 with 25 homers, 73 RBI and 21 steals. Any deal would likely buy out all of his arbitration years and probably a free agent year or two.

Ian Desmond blasted a three-run shot, one of three Nationals' homers in the game in Saturday's 10-4 rout of the Brewers.

Desmond finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI. Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche also went deep in the game for the Nats. Desmond has developed into one of the most dynamic offensive shortstops in the league, hitting .298/.335/.522 with 24 homers, 71 RBI and 18 stolen bases on the season. He'll be an extremely popular name on draft boards next season.

Ian Desmond had a pair of hits and scored a run as the Nationals topped the Dodgers 4-1 on Thursday evening.

He finished the night 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base. Desmond has been one of the most dynamic players in the league this season, posting a terrific .296/.333/.517 with 23 homers, 68 RBI and 18 stolen bases on the season. The 27-year-old shortstop will surely be considered among the top-five options at his position heading into next season's fantasy drafts.

Ian Desmond (knee, hamstring) is back in the Nationals' lineup Tuesday night against the Marlins.

Desmond missed the Nationals' entire weekend series with the Phillies because of minor knee and hamstring problems. He's batting .282/.318/.504 with 19 home runs, 15 stolen bases and 56 RBI through 96 games played this season for first-place Washington.

Ian Desmond returned to action on Sunday August 26.