Angels deliver shutout in Wash's first visit since medical leave

ARLINGTON -- It’s a day that Ron Washington had been looking forward to for some time.

Washington, who was placed on season-long medical leave on June 27, was back at the ballpark with the Angels on Monday as they started their three-game series against the Rangers. His return came on a high note, with the Halos blanking Texas 4-0 at Globe Life Field.

Washington, 73, revealed that it was a heart issue, specifically undergoing a quadruple bypass surgery on June 30, that caused him to be placed on leave nearly two months ago, with Ray Montgomery taking over as interim manager. But Washington has been doing well after eight weeks of recovery and rehab and was cleared to attend Monday’s game and spend time with the coaching staff and players. He plans to be at all three games against the Rangers, the club’s three-game set in Houston this weekend and for the rest of the club’s 12 home games this season.

“I was certainly looking forward to this day on the schedule,” Washington said. “I feel great. I really do. I’m eight weeks since my operation. They told me I could even hit fungos but I’m just here to support my guys.”

Washington said he’s had to make some lifestyle changes, including changes to his diet and giving up his smoking habit. But he’s sleeping better as a result and is just happy he finally found out what was causing his health issues early in the season and addressed it via his operation. He was in a Southern California hospital from June 23 to July 7 before returning home to New Orleans to recover.

“People have been after me for years about smoking, and it took a bypass for me to stop smoking,” Washington said. “But I'm through smoking. I've changed my eating habits. I'm sleeping better, and I'm stress free. I mean, that's simply because I'm not making decisions right now.”

Washington is universally revered by his peers and players, as he’s a baseball lifer who is renowned for his leadership skills and ability to teach infield defense. And it was fitting his return to the ballpark was in Texas, where he led the Rangers as manager from 2007-14, including taking them to back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and ’11.

Shortstop Zach Neto is especially close with Washington and was the first to greet him when he showed up to the ballpark on Monday.

“He's like a father figure to me,” Neto said. “He's one of my best friends. And it's just cool to see him out here and be able to see him where it all started.”

He was hired by the Angels before the 2024 season and was tasked with breaking in several young players as they looked to build toward the future. The Halos lost a franchise-record 99 games in ’24, but have seen growth from their young core and have played better this season.

Right fielder Jo Adell is one of those players who took a big leap forward this year and said having Washington around will only give the players more of a mental boost and some motivation.

“It’s awesome,” Adell said. “I've been talking with him. I knew that his goal was to be here when we got back into Texas. He looks the part, he looks like himself. So I’m just really glad to see him out here. I know everybody here is pretty excited he's around.”

The Angels went 36-38 under Washington before it was announced he’d be out indefinitely on June 20 before their series against the Red Sox. Washington initially thought he’d only miss a week or two, but he was placed on season-long leave a week later. The Angels have gone 25-31 under Montgomery, who regularly communicates with Washington via texts and phone calls.

It’s still unclear what the future will bring for Washington, as the Angels hold an option for him to manage the 2026 season. But for now, the Angels are just happy to have Washington back around the club. Washington said he’ll be fully medically cleared by December.

“I know being in the clubhouse and being back around the team, it was good for him,” Montgomery said. “It’s tough when it’s taken away from you like that, so it’s probably a big perspective thing.”

Washington said he hadn’t officially discussed his status for next year with general manager Perry Minasian just yet, but wants to be the manager again next year.

“I miss baseball,” Washington said. “This is my life, and if Perry will have me back, I'm certainly wanting to come back and finish what we started. I like what I see in the guys.”