Ronel Blanco's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Houston Astros are skipping right-hander Ronel Blanco's spot in the starting rotation this weekend against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks with the intent of returning to a six-man rotation during a stretch of 16 games without an off day. Blanco has been Houston's most consistent starter this year in a season in which their rotation has been decimated by injuries, but he threw a career-high 52 innings during the regular season in 2023 and is already at 148 1/3 frames this year over his 26 starts. Eventually, it's expected that Blanco will shift to Houston's bullpen, either at the tail end of the regular season or for the start of the postseason. The 31-year-old has been great in 2024, though, throwing a no-hitter early in the year while going 10-6 with a 3.03 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and 144 strikeouts in 148 1/3 innings in his first full year in the team's rotation.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco (finger) is set to return to the bump on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The 30-year-old was dealing with some general finger soreness after being hit by a comebacker in his previous start, but the injury does not seem serious, as Blanco will not miss a turn in the rotation. The right-hander has enjoyed a nice campaign so far as he sits with a solid 2.89 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 51:130 BB:K ratio. Since allowing a high 4.40 ERA through July, Blanco has settled down through the start of August, holding a much-improved 2.40 ERA. Blanco should remain in all starting lineups and will be a popular play in DFS on Tuesday evening, given his recent stretch.

Houston Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco (finger) left his start early on Wednesday on the road at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays with a sore left index finger after a comebacker grazed him. Manager Joe Espada pulled Blanco from the game, but X-rays came back negative on his finger. Despite leaving with an injury, Blancos was still able to deliver a quality start for his fantasy managers in a no-decision, tossing six scoreless innings while walking none, striking out four and allowing only two hits to lower his season ERA to 2.89. The 30-year-old shouldn't have to miss his next turn in the rotation, which should come next Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox, especially since the injury was to his left (non-throwing) hand. Blanco threw the first no-hitter in baseball earlier this year and has been Houston's most consistent starter in 2024.