The air certainly feels a lot heavier in the Angels’ clubhouse right now. With playoff hopes gradually slipping out of their hands, they see no luck ahead. They currently stand third in the AL West with a 36-38 record. But if you assume that this is be the only problem, you would be wrong.

For the Angels, what began as a positive start to the season now feels like a downward spiral. Although they haven’t pressed the panic button yet, they needed someone to come forward and take them out of the downward spiral. But that one person, Ron Washington, whom the Angels were hoping would lift them up, has suddenly stepped down from his managerial role.

Yes, you heard that right! Fox Sports MLB has confirmed this news by posting a picture of Washington, captioning, “Best wishes to Ron Washington 🙏.” The post read, “Ron Washington out indefinitely due to health concerns; Ray Montgomery named interim manager.” Starting from the game against the Houston Astros, the Angels will be managed by the bench coach. However, Washington accompanied the general manager, Perry Minasian, and watched the game from the stands.

Reportedly, Ron Washington hasn’t been feeling well for the past few days. Although the specifics of her health concerns were not identified, his absence, apparently, might turn out to be a big blow for the Angels.

Washington has been the one person who restructured the Angels lineup by introducing a new workout regime after the opening day loss conceded by the Angels against the Orioles. Washington’s way of managing a full team workout had the team going and staying on track both physically and mentally.

“I think it was important because I don’t want them to get caught up in the fact that we’re not playing baseball the way we’re capable of playing baseball. I don’t want them to get inside of themselves,” Washington said once. He stressed the importance of allowing players to play with freedom. And once it happens, everything will fall into place.

The Angels are definitely on an upward path this year, given that the team ended with a 63-99 record last year. Under Ron Washington’s guidance and leadership, the Angels have a 41.9 winning percentage, which is itself an achievement. Washington, 73, was assigned as the manager in 2023 after spending seven seasons with the Braves. He previously managed the Texas Rangers from 2007 to 2014 as well.

No wonder that Washington’s temporary absence will be missed in the clubhouse. But now that he is away, Montgomery has a lot to do.

Ray Montgomery, Angels’ interim manager, has got a massive job in hand

The voice of a manager plays a vital role in setting the tone from the front office. And it ultimately shifts the course of action for the entire season. With the bench coach, Ray Montgomery, starting as a manager in replacement of Washington, the Angels will hope that he does his best.

Now that the team is currently in a situation where there is very little scope for errors, the management faces some tough decisions to be made. With the Angels PCT below the .500 mark, Montgomery has to get things sorted. He joined the Angels in 2020, who used to be the director of player personnel, who was named the bench coach later in 2021.

Montgomery, despite having a low-key presence under the manager, has been alongside Ron Washington for quite some time. And, if you know, despite the Angels’ managers getting changed from time to time, Montgomery’s name also surfaced. But that didn’t get him ousted; rather, it felt like his promotion was imminent.

Well, we are not just saying this. MLB insider Jon Heyman, stressing the need for promotions, said, “Folks are convinced that if the Angels make a change, the job would go to Ray Montgomery, the personable New Yorker (White Plains and Fordham) just elevated to his first coaching job as bench coach out of the front office.” But we were aware of such kinds of speculations before as well. But now that Washi is away due to a health issue and his contract will expire at the end of this season, there’s a good chance for Montgomery to become the Angels’ next manager.