New manager Kurt Suzuki spent time playing catcher for the Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves, in addition to his two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Oct. 21 (UPI) — The Los Angeles Angels agreed to hire former catcher Kurt Suzuki as their new manager.
Sources told MLB.com, ESPN and The Athletic about Suzuki’s hiring Tuesday. The 2014 All-Star, who played for the Angels in 2021 and 2022, will replace manager Ron Washington. Washington missed nearly half of the 2025 season after heart surgery.
Washington, 73, led the Angels to a 135-189 record over the last two seasons, including their 72-90 mark in 2025. He led the Texas Rangers to a 664-611 mark from 2007 through 2014. Washington is 799-800 overall in 10 years as an MLB manager.
Suzuki, 42, hit .255 with 143 home runs over 16 seasons as a player. He spent time with the Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves, in addition to his time with the Angels.
Suzuki was hired in 2023 to serve as a special assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian.
He was previously teammates with Angels outfielders Mike Trout and Jo Adell, infielders Anthony Rendon and Luis Renfigo and former MLB slugger Albert Pujols, who also was in consideration to fill the managerial vacancy.
The Angels finished last in the American League West for the second consecutive season in 2025. They went to the playoffs just once over the last 16 years.