Ronel Blanco made his first start since May 17, 2025, against the Miami Marlins Monday night at Daikin Park, and the Astros' losing streak is over. While his performance wasn't perfect, it was a glimpse of hope that the Astros needed to see on the mound.
Blanco underwent Tommy John surgery last June and has had a long journey back, but he showed up last night.
Monday night he went 4 2/3 innings and struck out eight batters. He gave up two home runs but overall an encouraging return for a rotation that desperately needed good news.
Blanco had a rough second inning, giving up a Joe Mack two-run homer to put the Marlins ahead 2-0. But up until that, he was exactly what the Astros are in need of.
When Blanco is healthy, he is one of the best arms in that rotation. Monday night was a reminder of exactly that, and exactly what the Astros need right now. Consistency and reliability.
Eight strikeouts in under five innings in your first start back after over a year away. That is impressive no matter how you look at it.
Yes, he gave up two home runs. But he also looked comfortable on the mound after over a year away. That is not easy. Tommy John is a long road back, and Blanco handled it well.
The Astros rotation has taken hit after hit this season, but their pitchers are slowly finding their way back to the mound. Hayden Wesneski is also on his way back and could return as early as July 24. If both guys are healthy and throwing like this, the second half of the season should look a lot different.
It is one start. It is too early to call this a full comeback. But if Blanco can build on Monday night and give the Astros five or six quality innings every time out, that changes things for this team in a big way. Houston needed a reason to believe in their rotation again. Blanco gave them one.
Beefing up the pitching staff is huge for the Astros. They have been working with a couple of healthy arms at a time and wearing the bullpen out. Between Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, Peter Lambert, Spencer Arrighetti, and then Ronel Blanco and Hayden Wesneski returning, the Astros could have a dangerous pitching staff.
