Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington will not manage the team for an indefinite period due to a health concern, general manager Perry Minasian told reporters on Friday.
Washington experienced shortness of breath and heavy fatigue while the Angels were playing a four-game road series against the New York Yankees.
Doctors affiliated with the Yankees cleared Washington to fly home with the Angels after Thursday’s game in the Bronx.
Bench coach Ray Montgomery will serve as interim manager, beginning with Friday night’s home game against the Houston Astros. Montgomery, 55, is in his fourth season on the Angels’ coaching staff.
Washington underwent tests on Friday but the team didn’t elaborate on the details. He discussed his situation with players and coaches prior to Friday’s game but didn’t meet with reporters.
“Wash has not felt great the last couple of days,” Minasian said. “We want to make sure he’s 100 percent before he’s back in the dugout and managing. How long it’s going to take, I don’t know. I don’t expect it to be too long.
“We all know how important this is for all of us, but health is more important than anything, and me personally, I’m not letting him back in the dugout until I know he’s 100 percent, OK. I love the guy too much.”
Washington, 73, is expected to watch Friday night’s game from a suite inside Angel Stadium.
Washington is in his second season with the Angels and has a 99-137 record with the team. Los Angeles is 36-38 this season.
Overall, Washington holds a 763-748 record in 10 seasons. He guided Texas (2007-14) to the World Series in 2010 and 2011 with the Rangers losing each time.
“We play some close games,” Minasian said. “They’re not the types of games you can sit back, kick your feet up and just watch. They’re pretty tight games, stressful games, and I want to make sure he’s good to go health-wise before he gets back in the dugout.”
The Angels also placed right fielder Jorge Soler (back) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Wednesday. The 33-year-old is batting .207 with eight homers and 26 RBIs in 67 games this season and has 199 career homers in 12 seasons.
Los Angeles recalled outfielder Gustavo Campero from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. He was batting .320 with two homers and 17 RBIs in 32 games with the Bees.
Campero, 27, is batting .232 with one homer and six RBIs in 18 major league games over the past two seasons.
–Field Level Media
