RONEL BLANCO NEWS

In position for rotation spot Blanco appears likely to be included in the Astros' Opening Day rotation after Jose Urquidy was diagnosed Monday with a right forearm muscle strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com repo...

Impact Along with Justin Verlander (shoulder), Urquidy is set to begin the season on the injured list, and the Astros had already entered the spring without two other starters in Lance McCullers (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow), both of whom are facing longer-term recoveries from their surgeries. Urquidy's absence in particular should open up a back-end rotation spot for Blanco, whose primary competition for the role now looks to be Brandon Bielak. Given his past experience working out of the bullpen and underwhelming numbers as a starter at the big-league level, Bielak might be a better fit as a multi-inning reliever, while Blanco is less of a known commodity after seeing his first extended action in the big leagues in 2023. He submitted a 4.50 ERA and 52:28 K:BB over 52 innings across 17 outings (seven starts) with Houston last season, but Blanco has pitched more effectively this spring. Blanco has thus far tossed 11.2 scoreless frames in Grapefruit League play, striking out 13 while allowing four hits and four walks.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Candidate for rotation Blanco could begin the season in the rotation, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Blanco was a versatile option for the Astros in 2023, as he made 17 appearances in the majors -- seven of which were starts. He posted a 4.74 ERA paired with an uninspiring 35:21 K:BB across 38 frames as a starter, though Houston may have little choice to turn to him with Justin Verlander (shoulder) set to begin the season on the injured list and J.P. France (shoulder) still limited. Blanco has made three spring training appearances, with his longest outing being three frames. He's also gotten good results, throwing 7.2 scoreless innings while compiling an 8:2 K:BB.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Makes ALCS roster Blanco is on the Astros' roster for the ALCS against the Rangers, which begins Sunday night in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact The right-hander was absent for the ALDS but will be available for the championship series with Jake Meyers off the roster. Blanco made seven starts in 17 appearances and had a 4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 52:28 K:BB across 52 innings this season, and he's likely to be a long-relief option for Houston.

OCTOBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to Sugar Land The Astros optioned Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Impact Houston activated right-hander Phil Maton (elbow) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Blanco has now been optioned five times this season, so if he's called up again by Houston, he would have to be exposed to waivers if the Astros end up demoting him.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Sugar Land Houston recalled Blanco from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

Impact Blanco had an extended run in the Astros' starting rotation earlier this summer, but he will work in long relief in his return to the major-league roster. Brandon Bielak was optioned out in a corresponding move.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chandler Rome: The Astros optioned Ronel Blanco back to... - The Athletic The Astros optioned Ronel Blanco back to Triple-A Sugar Land after his start on Wednesday against the Guardians. They've optioned Blanco fou...

AUGUST 2, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Optioned back to Triple-A Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land following the Astros' 3-2 victory over the Guardians on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Blanco made a spot start in Wednesday afternoon's series finale versus Cleveland and scattered two earned runs on five hits and four walks over four innings while tallying three strikeouts. Phil Maton picked up the official win in relief.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled for start Wednesday Houston recalled Blanco from Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of his start Wednesday against the Guardians, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Blanco has posted an underwhelming 4.70 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 46 major-league innings this season and he had allowed 16 runs -- 15 earned -- in 15 frames (three starts) since being optioned back to Triple-A in early July. The 29-year-old right-hander makes for a risky fantasy streaming option, even versus Cleveland's lackluster offense.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Blanco was called up for a spot start against the Mariners on Thursday, giving up three runs in six innings. He wasn't going to get into another game before the All-Star break, so he'll return to the minors to await his next chance. Joel Kuhnel was recalled to give the team another option in the bullpen.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in spot start Blanco (2-1) took the loss Thursday versus the Mariners, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out nine over six innings.

Impact It was a quality start for Blanco, his third such effort in six starts this season. Unfortunately for the right-hander, two of the hits he surrendered were home runs to Eugenio Suarez and J.P. Crawford, and the Astros' offense didn't offer much support. Blanco is now at a 4.70 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 48:24 K:BB over 46 innings through 15 appearances this season. It's unclear at this time if he'll be in the rotation -- or even on the big-league roster -- following the All-Star break.

JULY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Officially promoted The Astros recalled Blanco from Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of his start Thursday against Seattle.

Impact Blanco was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday, but he'll come right back to the majors to make another start after Framber Valdez's (ankle) start was pushed back to Saturday and Cristian Javier's turn was skipped. Blanco holds a 4.70 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 23 innings across his last four starts. His return will push Parker Mushinski to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to rejoin rotation Thursday The Astros are expected to recall Blanco from Triple-A Sugar Land to have him start Thursday against the Mariners, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 News Houston reports.

Impact Since Blanco had been optioned to Sugar Land on Sunday, the Astros will need to place a player on the injured list to facilitate his return to the big club, with Jose Altuve (oblique) standing out as the most obvious candidate to be deactivated in a corresponding move. The Astros sent Blanco back to the minors with the expectation that he wouldn't be needed to make another start before the All-Star break, but those plans changed when Framber Valdez needed more time to recover from an ankle injury and with manager Dusty Baker opting to skip the struggling Cristian Javier's next turn through the rotation. Over his prior 14 appearances (five starts) with Houston this season, Blanco pitched to a 4.73 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 39:22 K:BB in 40 innings.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads out to minors The Astros optioned Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Impact Since Blanco wasn't scheduled to make another start during the final week before the All-Star break, the Astros opted to swap him off the 26-man active roster in favor of a fresh bullpen arm in Parker Mushinski, who was recalled from Sugar Land in a corresponding move. While serving as a starter in each of his last five appearances for Houston, Blanco went 2-0 with a 4.82 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 23:15 K:BB across 28 innings. Unless Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is ready to return from the 60-day injured list coming out of the All-Star break, Blanco will likely rejoin the Astros once the team requires a fifth starter for the first time in the second half.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up second win Blanco (2-0) yielded three runs on four hits and four walks over five innings Friday, striking out two and earning a win against Texas.

Impact Most of the damage against Blanco came in the fourth inning when he served up back-to-back solo homers to Josh Jung and Jonah Heim. Despite the lackluster outing, Blanco picked up his second career win and first since June 1. Since moving from the bullpen to the rotation, he's registered a 4.82 ERA and a 23:15 K:BB through five starts. He's currently projected for a home matchup with the Rockies next week.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records quality start Saturday Blanco allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six batters over six innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Impact It looked like Blanco could be in for a rough outing when Los Angeles hit two homers and put up three runs in the first inning, but the right-hander didn't allow any runs or hits over the remainder of his start. He finished with the second quality start of his career, both of which have come over his past three appearances. Blanco got the start Saturday as a result of Brandon Bielak being demoted to the minors, and the former likely showed enough in recovering from the rough first frame to remain in the rotation. He's tentatively scheduled for a difficult matchup on the road against Texas his next time out.

JUNE 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Next start coming Saturday Blanco is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact After a brief move to the bullpen, Blanco shifted back into the Houston rotation last weekend against the Reds when the Astros opted to build in an extra day of rest between starts for rookie Hunter Brown. Blanco had been expected to return to the bullpen this week, but the Astros' recent decision to demote Brandon Bielak to Triple-A Sugar Land now opens up a more permanent starting role. Given that he's turned in a 4.76 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 15:9 K:BB in 17 innings through his first three starts with Houston, Blanco hasn't yet established himself as a trustworthy streaming option.

JUNE 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows five runs in spot start Blanco did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings against Cincinnati. He struck out five.

Impact Blanco recently shifted back to the bullpen when Houston condensed its rotation from six to five, but he got a spot start Sunday because manager Dusty Baker wanted to give Hunter Brown an extra day of rest. Blanco struggled versus the Reds and surrendered a season-high five runs, and over his last three appearances (all starts), the right-hander has given up five home runs and nine earned runs while posting a questionable 15:9 K:BB through 17 innings. Blanco should revert back to a bullpen role moving forward.

JUNE 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Making spot start Sunday Blanco is scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Reds at Minute Maid Park, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact After the Astros' recent stretch of 17 games in 17 days came to an end Monday, Blanco was moved to the bullpen while Houston condensed its rotation from six men to five. The Astros still plan on running a five-man rotation moving forward, but Blanco will make another spot start this weekend since manager Dusty Baker wanted to give rookie Hunter Brown an extra day to recover from the seven-inning, 99-pitch workload he handled in Tuesday's win over the Nationals. Blanco will presumably transition back to a relief role following Sunday's start.

JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shifting to bullpen Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Blanco will be available out of the bullpen as a long reliever moving forward with Houston transitioning back to a five-man rotat...

Impact The Astros are completing a string of 17 games in 17 days Sunday, and Blanco had been called up from Triple-A Sugar Land early in that stretch to help give Houston's other five starting pitchers an extra day of rest amid the busy schedule. Though Blanco acquitted himself well in his first two big-league starts -- he turned in a 3.18 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB in 11.1 innings -- his results weren't spectacular enough to supplant either J.P. France or Brandon Bielak as a back-end option in the rotation.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gives up two runs in no-decision Blanco did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks over six innings against Toronto. He struck out five.

Impact Blanco allowed two solo home runs but completed a season-high six innings en route to his first career quality start. After operating as a reliever over his first 16 appearances at the big-league level, the right-hander has made back-to-back starts since being recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land last Thursday. He's been solid in his new role, giving up four runs over 11.1 innings while striking out 10, but he's walked seven batters and surrendered three home runs. So far, the walks and long balls haven't been detrimental to his overall line, but those issues could certainly become worrisome in the future. It's unclear if Blanco will get another start, as the Astros may opt to move back to a five-man rotation with an off day Monday which ends a stretch of 17 games in 17 days.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting second start Wednesday Blanco is scheduled to make his second MLB start Wednesday in Toronto.

Impact After working as a reliever in his first 16 career big-league appearances, Blanco was summoned from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday to join the Houston rotation. The 29-year-old right-hander came away with a win in his start against the Angels, striking out five while giving up two earned runs on seven hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. While the Astros are in the midst of a stretch of 17 games in 17 days, Blanco will be part of a six-man rotation, but he could be headed back to Sugar Land after Wednesday's outing since Houston is likely to transition back to a five-man rotation the following week.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs win in first big-league start Blanco (1-0) garnered the win against the Angels on Thursday, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five batters over 5.1 innings.

Impact It wasn't a breezy outing for Blanco -- he threw just 59 of 94 pitches for a strike and dealt with plenty of traffic on the bases -- but he mostly got out of trouble when he needed to (including with an inning-ending strikeout of Shohei Ohtani with the bases loaded in the second inning). The right-hander had come out of the bullpen for each of his first 16 major-league appearances but should continue to pitch as a starter for the time being with the Astros opting to go to a six-man rotation. It remains to be seen how Blanco will adjust to the role, as it's relatively foreign to him -- over eight minor-league campaigns, only 23 of his 191 appearances came as a starter.

JUNE 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chandler Rome: The Astros recalled Ronel Blanco to start... - The Athletic The Astros recalled Ronel Blanco to start Thursday's series-opener against the Angels. The team will deploy a six-man starting rotation duri...

JUNE 1, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Recalled to start Thursday Blanco was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Blanco will make his first major-league start Thursday against the Angels. The 29-year-old has posted a 0.56 ERA and 21:13 K:BB over 16 innings covering two starts and two relief appearances at Sugar Land this season and a 4.50 ERA in nine relief outings with Houston. He would figure to be on a relatively limited pitch count Thursday.

JUNE 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact He logged a 4.50 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 12 innings while working in a low-leverage role. The move clears a roster spot for Saturday's starter J.P. France.

MAY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE