Ronel Blanco will make his return to the Houston Astros from Tommy John surgery Monday, starting the team’s series opener against the Miami Marlins, manager Joe Espada said.
Blanco’s return to the majors will occur about 14 months removed from his last start for Houston. The right-hander, who emerged as a rotation piece in 2024, had surgery last June that included a repair of the ulnar collateral ligament with an internal brace as well as a repair of the flexor tendon.
The Astros hope Blanco and Hayden Wesneski, who is also nearing a return from Tommy John surgery, can help reinforce their pitching staff in the second half. Astros starters entered Sunday with the third-highest ERA (5.18) in the majors this season and the ninth-fewest innings pitched (486 ⅔).
In five minor-league rehab outings, Blanco allowed two earned runs in 17 innings. His last rehab start comprised 4 ⅓ innings and 68 pitches at Triple-A, meaning he may still be on a slightly limited pitch count for his season debut Monday.
“He feels good, his stuff looked really good in his outings,” Espada said. “Excited to have him back.”
After Blanco’s start, Tatsuya Imai and Peter Lambert are scheduled to start the final two games against the Marlins. Wesneski, who made his fourth rehab start Friday in Triple-A, was at Daikin Park over the weekend. Espada said the Astros were still discussing the next step for Wesneski.