BREAKING: Ron Washington will not return as manager of the Los Angeles Angels for the 2026 season, a source confirmed to ESPN earlier today. This decision follows Washington’s serious health issues, including a quadruple bypass heart surgery that caused him to miss most of the 2025 season.
In a significant shake-up, interim manager Ray Montgomery will also not be appointed as the full-time manager, marking a pivotal moment for the Angels as they seek their sixth manager in just nine years. Washington, who turns 74 in April, was the oldest manager in Major League Baseball last season.
Washington’s last game was on June 19, 2025, when he departed after experiencing shortness of breath during a series against the New York Yankees. After returning to California, he underwent tests that revealed severe blockage in his heart valves, requiring surgery on June 30. He was discharged from the hospital on July 7.
Reflecting on his health scare, Washington stated, “What happened to me saved my life,” emphasizing that he has since quit smoking, changed his diet, and improved his sleep. During his time with the Angels, he recorded a 36-38 win-loss record before leaving the team in Montgomery’s hands. Overall, Washington’s record with the Angels stands at 99-137 over his two seasons.
Previously, Washington was celebrated for his tenure with the Texas Rangers, where he became the winningest manager in the team’s history, achieving a 664-611 record and leading them to their first two World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. Following his time with the Rangers, he contributed to the Atlanta Braves from 2017 to 2023, playing a key role in their 2021 World Series championship victory.
The Athletic was first to report the news about Washington and Montgomery’s departures. The Angels now face the urgent task of finding new leadership as the team looks to turn the page for the upcoming season.
As the situation develops, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see who the Angels will select as their next manager. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.
