Ron Washington Takes Helm as Los Angeles Angels Manager — Veteran Skipper Vows to End Playoff Drought

Veteran skipper Ron Washington will not return as manager of the Los Angeles Angels for the 2026 MLB season, multiple outlets reported Tuesday. The club is expected to launch an immediate search for a new field boss after two straight last-place finishes in the American League West and a turbulent year that included Washington’s mid-season health scare and subsequent leave of absence. According to The Athletic’s Sam Blum, general manager Perry Minasian informed Washington and interim skipper Ray Montgomery that their contracts will not be renewed. Montgomery took over daily dugout duties in June while Washington addressed undisclosed medical issues, but the dual-manager arrangement failed to spark a turnaround as the Angels finished 61-101, their worst record since 1999. Washington, 73, was hired last winter on a two-year deal after serving as Atlanta’s highly regarded third-base coach. The former Texas Rangers manager carried postseason pedigree—two American League pennants in 2010-11—but could not overcome a roster ravaged by injuries and thin pitching depth. He departs Anaheim with a 35-53 record at the helm and a career managerial mark of 717-748. Sources told Sports Illustrated that owner Arte Moreno wants a “fresh voice” in the clubhouse as the franchise plots its first full season without two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who signed with the Dodgers last offseason. Early candidates expected to draw interest include bench coach Benji Gil, Dodgers first-base coach Clayton McCullough, and veteran strategist Buck Showalter. Washington has not ruled out continuing his 54-year career in baseball. Speaking with reporters last weekend, he said he hoped to meet with Moreno to “discuss what comes next” and emphasized that his health has improved. Whether that next step is another managerial chair, a coaching role, or retirement remains uncertain, but his reputation for infield tutoring and player development should keep him on short lists across the league. For the Angels, the focus now shifts to stabilizing a directionless franchise. The club has missed the playoffs every year since 2014 and faces critical decisions on the futures of Mike Trout, pending free-agent Patrick Sandoval, and a farm system ranked near the bottom third of MLB. Hiring the right manager is step one in convincing fans—and potential free agents—that competitive baseball can soon return to Anaheim. With the hot-stove season looming, expect the Ron Washington storyline to dominate headlines until the Angels announce a successor and the respected baseball lifer reveals his next move.