ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Angels will not retain manager Ron Washington or interim manager Ray Montgomery for 2026 according to a report by Sam Blum of The Athletic.
The team later confirmed the report and announced that Washington will not return. Montgomery was reportedly offered a different role in the organization, but it has not been announced what that role is or if he would accept.
Washington stepped away from the team due to medical leave on June 20 and later revealed that he underwent quadruple bypass surgery. Montgomery stepped in as the interim manager for the remainder of the season and he led the Angels to a 36-52 record.
Ron Washington and Ray Montgomery will not return as Angels managers next season, per @SamBlum3. pic.twitter.com/qNrbxtlwOC
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 30, 2025
The Angels had an option on Washington's contract for the 2026 season. Washington had previously said that he wanted to resume his role as the team's manager in 2026 and that he felt he was healthy enough to do so. The Angels were 36-38 under Washington this season prior to his medical leave and were 63-99 in 2024.
Washington was with the team during its final home stand of the season last week and on the field during batting practice.
He was the fourth manager the Angels have had since 2018. Brad Ausmus was the manager in 2018 and Joe Madden was the manager from 2020-2022 before being fired midseason. Madden was replaced by interim manager Phil Nevin and the Angels removed the interim tag following the 2022 season. Nevin was the full-time manager in 2023 before Washington was hired prior to the 2024 season.
Former Angel Torii Hunter has expressed interest in becoming a major league manager and he was with the team in the dugout for its last two home stands. He is currently employed by the Angels as a special assistant.
Torii Hunter was NOT happy watching the Angels defensive meltdown tonight pic.twitter.com/M7dp9ukMDz
— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) September 9, 2025
Another former team of Hunter's, the Minnesota Twins, also has a managerial vacancy after it was announced Monday that Rocco Baldelli will not return as the team's manager.
Albert Pujols has also expressed interest in managing at the major league level. Pujols is currently the manager of Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Professional Baseball League and is employed by the Angels on a personal services contract.
