HOUSTON -- Some help is on the way for the Astros’ beleaguered pitching rotation.
Right-hander Ronel Blanco, who hasn’t pitched in the Major Leagues since May 17, 2025, will come off the injured list on Monday to start the series opener against the Marlins at Daikin Park. He underwent surgery last June to repair the ulnar collateral ligament with an internal brace and repair the flexor tendon. He had a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings in five Minor League rehab outings.
“His stuff looked really good in his outings,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “I’m excited to have him back.”
Blanco, who threw a no-hitter against the Blue Jays in his first start of 2024 en route to a breakout season as a 30-year-old, went 3-4 with a 4.10 ERA in nine starts in ’25 before getting injured. He went 13-6 with a 2.80 ERA in ‘24 and led MLB in opponents’ average against (.190) among qualified starters while throwing a career-high 167 1/3 innings.
Blanco will be the 14th different pitcher to start a game this season and joins a rotation that currently includes Hunter Brown, Spencer Arrighetti, Peter Lambert and Tatsuya Imai. Houston starting pitchers entered Sunday with a 5.18 ERA, which is third-worst in the Major Leagues.
Cristian Javier started a game July 10 in Arlington, but has been moved back to the bullpen.
The Astros should soon get another veteran pitcher back from Tommy John surgery, too. Right-hander Hayden Wesneski, one of three players acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade after the 2024 season, is back working out with the club after throwing four innings in his most recent Triple-A start on Friday.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said on the team’s pregame radio show on KBME-AM (790) that Wesneski could return to the rotation on Friday, or pitch one final Minor League rehab outing. Brown said he’s been up to 96 mph during his rehab starts. Wesneski was in the 2025 Opening Day rotation and made six starts, going 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 32 innings.