In late June, the Angels announced that manager Ron Washington would remain on medical leave for the rest of the season. The team respected his privacy and didn’t provide any more specifics at the time. The 73-year-old skipper updated the media on his health this afternoon.
Washington revealed to the Halos beat that he underwent quadruple bypass surgery to remove blockages from his heart valves roughly two months ago (via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com and Sam Blum of The Athletic). The situation came together quickly, as Washington revealed he first sought medical attention after noticing swelling around his ankles while the Angels were playing in the Bronx from June 16-19. Washington said the scary situation has spurred him to quit smoking and improve his diet and sleeping habits.
The baseball lifer said he expects to be fully cleared medically in December. He was unequivocal about his desire to return to managing in 2026. Washington said it’s his goal “to finish what we started” with the Angels (relayed by Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register). It stands to reason the Angels will welcome him back, but the team has not said anything his contract. Washington signed a two-year deal when he was hired going into the 2024 season. The club holds an option on his services for 2026.
Bench coach Ray Montgomery will remain the interim manager for the rest of this year. The Angels have dropped a season-high eight games below .500 entering tonight’s series in Texas. MLBTR sends our continued well wishes to Wash as he completes his recovery.
Glad he is recovering but I think I would be fine if he retired.
Priorities.
Get better, good sir. I wish you a quick recovery.
Angel fans miss Wash. Wins and losses aside, we just want the best for him and his family. He definitely broke through to many of the young Angels and 2026 looks to be a promising year for many of them.
Now Perry / Arte just need to give Wash a proper pitching core.
Nuke Arte.
What 73 year old smokes?! Geez its 2025
@Sourhaze: Does Jim Leyland still smoke? He’s 80 now
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are the only 73 or older that definitely still smoke. Probably not limited to cigs.
I mean, does it matter now? Smoke up!
Probably a 73 year old that started smoking when he was 16
Yes, it’s 2025. So I guess a lack of empathy and civility is to be expected.
Best wishes to Mr. Washington!
This guy probably had the surgery done while in baseball uniform. You do you, Wash. Wishing him a full recovery.
Glad he’s on the mend and definitely appreciate his mentorship to the younger players.
Wash under anesthesia would make better decisions than Montgomery. I’m not sure who should manage next year, but Ray definitely should not.
Wash is a treasure, all thoughts and prayers to him being back in the dugout next year.
If I tried to manage the Angels i too would probably need a quadruple bypass ( joking, as an O’s fan I really have no leeway to poke fun at another organization this year ). But for real, hope he fully recovers. I imagine being a manager of a professional sport team brings some stress and while it may not be the best thing for his health to continue to be a manager, its what he loves and hopefully he can continue to do it.
Bypass surgery (CABG) does not involve the heart valves or remove blockages. It bypasses, via venous or synthetic grafts, blockages in the coronary arteries. (Sometimes the internal mammary artery is used as well.) Heart valve surgery would be replacement or repair. Coronary angioplasty (PTCA) can balloon open blockages and keep them propped open with one or more stents. FYI.
Best wishes Ron! Take it easy in the Offseason 🤙🏽
Wash: Now that I had this quadruple bypass, returning to managing isn’t hard, Perry… tell him doc
Doctor: It’s incredibly hard
Wash will coach you until you get it, the man oozes baseball.
Probs finally kicked the white stuff too.
Your mom sure hasn’t… just fyi.