Sources: Angels to hire ex-catcher Kurt Suzuki as manager - ESPN

The Los Angeles Angels are hiring Kurt Suzuki as manager, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, turning to the longtime major league catcher with no professional coaching experience to help turn around a franchise navigating the longest playoff drought in the major leagues.

Suzuki, 42, spent 16 years playing for five franchises and won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals. He had spent the past three years as a special assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian.

Former Angels stars Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter were also in consideration for the job to replace Ron Washington, who missed nearly half the 2025 season after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery.

Ray Montgomery, the interim manager during Washington's absence, was offered a different role with the organization but was not considered for the full-time manager role.

Suzuki inherits a team with plenty of offensive thump and questionable pitching. Shortstop Zach Neto is one of the game's most well-rounded players, and outfielders Jo Adell and Taylor Ward combined to hit 73 home runs in 2025. Mike Trout is signed through 2030, and catcher Logan O'Hoppe, first baseman Nolan Schanuel and second baseman Christian Moore round out their young core.

Beyond Yusei Kikuchi and Jose Soriano, the Angels' rotation is in flux, and their bullpen is filled with question marks that hamper their prospects in a division that includes the Seattle Mariners, who fell one game shy of representing the American League in the World Series.

Suzuki spent his last two seasons, 2021 and 2022, as a backup catcher with the Angels and drew rave reviews for his handling of the pitching staff. He now becomes the organization's fifth manager since Mike Scioscia ended a 19-year run in