Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington trots back to the dugout after making a pitching change at Globe Life Field. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Angels Make Unexpected Coaching Move Before Astros Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 7:11 PM ET

The Los Angeles Angels are just two games under .500 and two games out of an AL Wild Card spot entering Friday's slate, but it gets better. They also have a chance to make up ground on the Houston Astros in their upcoming series, who are 6.5 games ahead of them for first place in the AL West.

Los Angeles is 6-4 in its last 10 contests and just took three out of four games vs. the New York Yankees on the road. The Angels allowed two runs or fewer in three of the contests, which were all consecutive wins before Thursday's 7-3 loss.

However, the Angels had to make an unexpected coaching pivot before Friday's bout with the Astros, via The Athletic's Sam Blum.

"Ron Washington will not manage the team indefinitely, due to a health concern," he reported. "He’ll be with the team tonight, watching from the suites. [Bench coach] Ray Montgomery will manage the team tonight and moving forward."

This development interrupts Washington's second season managing the Angels. The 73-year-old previously was a coach with the Atlanta Braves from 2017-23 and won the 2021 World Series with them.

Ron Washington will not manage the team indefinitely, due to a health concern.

He’ll be with the team tonight, watching from the suites.

Ray Montgomery will manage the team tonight and moving forward.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) June 20, 2025

Washington was an infielder from 1977-89, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), and the Astros. He was also a coach on the Oakland Athletics (now just Athletics) from 1996-2006 before managing the Texas Rangers from 2007-14. He then had a second Athletics coaching stint from 2015-16.

Southpaw pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (2-6, 3.05 ERA) will start for the Angels against Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.88 ERA) on Friday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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