Astros RHP Ronel Blanco to undergo elbow surgery, miss much of '26

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco will have season-ending surgery on his right elbow next week.

The team announced the news Wednesday, the latest blow for the Houston pitching staff. Right-hander Hayden Wesneski underwent Tommy John surgery last week.

Blanco will be out the rest of this season and is expected to miss much of 2026.

The 31-year-old right-hander threw six innings in his most recent start, a 5-1 loss to the Texas Rangers on May 17. He gave up three runs on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts.

Last week, Blanco informed the Astros that he had a sore elbow and an MRI showed inflammation, the Houston Chronicle reported. He went on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 20, and the Astros recalled left-hander Colton Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land.

Blanco is in his fourth major league season, all with the Astros. In 2024, he finished 13-6 with a 2.80 ERA in 30 games (29 starts). He threw his only career complete game in his season debut on April 1, no-hitting the Toronto Blue Jays in a 10-0 win.

This season, he is 3-4 with a 4.10 ERA in nine starts. He has struck out 48 batters in 48 1/3 innings and made four quality starts.

--Field Level Media