Angels move on from manager Ron Washington, interim Ray Montgomery

Neither Ron Washington nor Ray Montgomery will return to manage the Los Angeles Angels in 2026.

The Angels announced Tuesday that they had declined the option on Washington's contract for 2026. They said they will begin the process of hiring a new manager "immediately," marking the end of Montgomery's interim stint.

The Angels (72-90) finished last in the American League West for the second straight season, 18 games behind the division champion Seattle Mariners.

The Angels were 36-38 on June 20 when Washington took an indefinite leave due to undisclosed health concerns. Washington, 73, revealed in August that he underwent quadruple bypass surgery.

Los Angeles went 36-52 the rest of the way with bench coach Montgomery as the interim skipper.

Washington told The Athletic in an interview that the Angels' decision to part ways with him was related to the team's performance, not his health.

"I have to accept that," Washington said. "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."

General manager Perry Minasian's status is uncertain after the team missed the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season, per The Athletic. Minasian has been in his current position since 2020.

Washington was in his second season with Los Angeles. He previously managed the Texas Rangers from 2007-14, reaching the World Series twice.

Montgomery, 56, became the team's bench coach after the 2021 season. He previously worked as a scouting director for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers.

--Field Level Media