Ron Washington Steps Down as Angels Manager After 2 Seasons Cut Short by Health Issues

Ron Washington's Tenure with the Los Angeles Angels Ends

Ron Washington will not return as the manager of the Los Angeles Angels for a third season, according to an official announcement made by the team. This decision marks the end of his tenure with the franchise, which has struggled through several seasons of underperformance.

Washington missed a significant portion of the current season due to undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery. The Angels have since decided to hire a new manager for the 2026 season, which means that interim manager Ray Montgomery will not be given the permanent role.

At 73 years old, Washington was the oldest manager in Major League Baseball during his two seasons with the Angels, a position he took on after being hired in November 2023. The team experienced its worst season in franchise history in 2024, finishing with a record of 63-99 following the departure of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani during free agency.

This season, the Angels recorded a 72-90 record and finished last in the AL West for the second consecutive year under Washington and Montgomery, who took over as bench coach in late June when Washington was sidelined due to health issues. Although Washington returned to the team in uniform at the end of the season, he did not resume his managerial duties.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian and owner Arte Moreno have not publicly commented on the decision. However, Washington shared with The Athletic that Minasian stated the move was based on the team’s performance, not his health. Washington acknowledged the decision, stating, “I have to accept that. I can’t go back to argue with them to try and tell them different when they’ve made a decision. … We were starting to perform better.”

Minasian has not responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press. He is under contract through next season, marking his sixth year leading the struggling club. Washington had expressed hope of returning as manager next season, but Moreno has opted for another change in a franchise that has endured 10 consecutive losing seasons and 11 straight non-playoff seasons—both the longest active streaks in the majors.

Washington had previously enjoyed success as the manager of the Texas Rangers from 2007 to 2014, leading the team to two World Series appearances and three playoff berths. He also achieved five consecutive winning seasons during that time. After moving on to coaching roles with Oakland and Atlanta, he won a World Series ring with the Braves in 2021. Despite this track record, he could not turn around the long-struggling Angels, despite maintaining popularity among players and fans in Orange County.

The Angels are now set to have their fifth full-time manager in eight seasons since the departure of Mike Scioscia, who led the team for 19 years and secured its only World Series title in 2002.

After years of spending on veteran players under Moreno, the Angels have started to build a young core, including shortstop Zach Neto, catcher Logan O'Hoppe, outfielder Jo Adell, and first baseman Nolan Schanuel. However, this emerging talent has not yet translated into improved standings.

The team also paid $38.5 million this season to third baseman Anthony Rendon, who missed the 2025 season due to a lingering hip injury. Rendon, who has not played more than 58 games in any of his six seasons with the Angels since being signed in late 2019, still has one year left on what is considered one of the most disastrous free-agent contracts in major league history.

Four MLB teams have moved on from their managers since the regular season ended. San Francisco fired Bob Melvin, and Minnesota fired Rocco Baldelli on Monday. Additionally, Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers mutually decided that Bochy would not return to the dugout. Washington and the 70-year-old Bochy were the two oldest managers in the majors.