ANAHEIM, Calif. – Just as the Los Angeles Angels made another charge towards .500, the Halos got dealt a blow to open their homestand on Friday, as team learned manager Ron Washington would be out of the dugout indefinitely due to health concerns.
Bench coach Ray Montgomery will take over managerial duties for the Angels (36-38) beginning with Friday’s series opener against the division-leading Houston Astros (43-32).
“Wash has not felt great the last couple days,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. “We got the doctors in New York to see him after the game yesterday. He went through a bunch of tests today. He will not manage the game tonight. We’re going to make sure we cross every ‘T,’ dot every ‘i,’ and make sure he's 100% before he's back in the dugout and managing.”
Washington was reportedly moving slowly and short of breath while the Angels finished a four-game road set against the Yankees. Players were told of the decision in a pre-game meeting on Friday at Angel Stadium.
“Health is way more important,” Angels shortstop Zach Neto said. “He hasn’t been himself these past couple days. We all say that. I’m glad he was able to figure something out and take these days to get himself back.”
The timeline for Washington’s return is unclear, but the 73-year-old will remain around the team. He will watch the games from Minasian’s suite, but Washington will not manage from the dugout or take part in media sessions. Washington was at Angel Stadium interacting with players on Friday.
“I don't expect it to be too long, but you just don't know,” Minasian said. “We all know how important this is for all of us, but obviously, health is more important than anything, and me personally, I'm not letting them back in the dugout until I know he’s 100% okay. I love the guy too much.”
Montgomery took charge of the Halos to open the homestand, but it’s not the bench coach’s first time at the helm. Montgomery filled in for Phil Nevin in 2022 following a suspension that stemmed from a brawl with the Mariners, and the 55-year-old former Astro managed for a then-ill Washington during spring training.
The Angels have won four of their last five series, as the club again flirts with the .500 mark. The Halos see a big opportunity with this weekend’s series against the AL West-leading Astros to climb back into the divisional race, and Washington’s absence may provide a rallying point.
“I think we got a good chance to come together even more," Angels outfielder Taylor Ward said. "I'm looking forward to tonight, and really taking the field with these guys and doing it for him.”