Official: Houston Astros announces RHP Ronel Blanco will undergo right elbow surgery next week

The Houston Astros RHP Ronel Blanco will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow next week and is done for the year, the team announced on May 28, 2025. The 31-year-old right-hander, who became a rotation mainstay in 2024, has dealt with elbow soreness since his last outing, May 17 against the Texas Rangers. An M.R.I. revealed inflammation, and he was put on a 15-day injury leave on May 20.Ronel Blanco’s path to the big leagues is one of guts and resilience. The Astros signed him as an international free agent in 2016. He broke out in 2024, when he went 13-6 with a 2.80 ERA in 29 starts, which also included a no-hitter, in the Mets’ first start of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays.Blanco was 3–4 with a 4.10 ERA in 48⅓ innings pitched through nine starts for the 2025 season. His signature start was on May 11, when 11 of his strikeouts came as he threw eight shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds in a game he won and in which he set a career high.Blanco’s surgery is another setback for an already injury-depleted Astros pitching staff. Righty Hayden Wesneski had Tommy John surgery earlier this month. Also, pitchers Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, José Urquidy, and J.P. France are out with different ailments.To address these challenges, the Astros have summoned lefty Colton Gordon from Triple-A and moved Brandon Walter to the rotation. The new rotation, then, is Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Lance McCullers Jr., Ryan Gusto, and Gordon.Manager Joe Espada said he knew it would be tough to lose Blanco, but that he believed the team had enough resilience and depth to handle it. "It's tough to see Ronel go down, especially after all he's accomplished," Espada said. "But we have faith in our guys to step up and fill the void." Also Read: Will Ronel Blanco play tonight against Detroit Tigers? Latest update on Houston Astros star’s injury repoRonel Blanco will most likely be out for the rest of the 2025 season and the majority of the 2026 season due to the injury. His loss will be felt not only on the field, but off the field too, as one of the team’s leading lights following the incredible journey and performances he has put in.