Houston Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Wednesday that RHP Ronel Blanco will require season ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
The surgery, which will take place next week, ends Blanco’s 2025 MLB campaign after just 48.1IP. Across 9 starts, the 6’3″ righty compiled a 3-4 record, with a 4.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 48 K’s. Blanco had been placed on the injured list last week with inflammation in his throwing elbow, and last appeared in a game on May 17th.
“I know how hard he’s worked to get to this point and it stinks,” Espada said. “So the goal is now to get him healthy, get him back at some point next season.”
News of the injury comes at pivotal time for the Astros who sit in 2nd place in the AL West with a 29-25 record, 1.5 games back of the division leading Mariners. Houston is already without Hayden Wesneski, Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier who continue to recover from Tommy John surgeries themselves, leaving the Astros pitching staff looking significantly worse for wear.
J.P France remains on the shelf after undergoing shoulder surgery, while Spencer Arrighetti is still a ways away from a return MLB action after breaking his thumb.
Lance McCullers Jr. will take the mound Wednesday for Houston in their series finale vs. the Athletics. He’ll be followed by Ryan Gusto, Framber Valdez, Colton Gordon, and Hunter Brown. However, the club may be forced to take a look at their farm system or for a willing trade partner to find a longer term solution to their current rash of injuries.
Some internal solutions to keep an eye on include 22 year old RHP Miguel Ullola who is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA and 40 Ks across 28IP for AAA Sugar Land, or 24 year old RHP AJ Blubaugh who has already seen limited action with the big league club this season.
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