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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Progresses to live batting practice
Rotowire
Blanco (elbow) has progressed to throwing live batting practice this week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Both Blanco and Hayden Wesneski (elbow) are throwing live BP at the Astros' spring training facility in West Palm Beach. Blanco is working his way back from June 2025 Tommy John surgery and could return to the Astros later this season if his rehab goes smoothly.
Astros' Ronel Blanco: Throwing side sessions in Florida
Rotowire
The Astros announced Monday that Blanco (elbow) is continuing to complete regular bullpen sessions as part of his throwing progression, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Still on the mend from June 2025 Tommy John surgery with an internal brace as well as a repair of the flexor tendon of his forearm, Blanco remains at the Astros' complex in Florida to conduct his rehab. He's been throwing off a mound for more than a month now, so Blanco could soon be ready to take the next step in his progression by facing hitters. Blanco is hopeful to return from the 60-day injured list at some point in 2026, though he likely won't be a candidate for activation until after the All-Star break.
The Astros transferred Blanco (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday.
The Astros made a flurry of roster moves Friday, and moving Blanco to the 60-day IL opened up a spot on the 40-man roster for J.P. France, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Blanco is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in June of 2025, so he won't be available for the Astros until the second half of the 2026 season.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Goes on 15-day IL
Rotowire
The Astros placed Blanco (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Blanco will be shelved until the second half as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. He's a candidate to be shifted to the 60-day IL if/when the Astros need to free up a spot on their 40-man roster.
Blanco (elbow) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
This move was strictly procedural, as Blanco is recovering from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. He is expected to miss most of the 2026 season.
Astros' Ronel Blanco: Has internal brace procedure
Rotowire
Blanco's (elbow) Tommy John procedure included an internal brace and a repair of the flexor tendon in his forearm, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported Friday.
Blanco underwent the surgery Friday, and the procedure included some fixes to the flexor tendon. Blanco isn't expected back until deep into the 2026 season.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Surgery scheduled for Friday
Rotowire
Blanco (elbow) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery Friday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
It was announced last week that Blanco needed the operation to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow and now the surgery is officially on the calendar. He will be out at least until the second half of the 2026 season.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Moves to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Astros transferred Blanco (elbow) to the 60-day IL on Sunday.
The transaction is merely procedural, as Blanco is scheduled to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in the near future. With the right-hander coming off the 40-man roster, the Astros were able to open up a spot for outfielder Jacob Melton, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land.
Astros' Ronel Blanco: To have season-ending surgery
Rotowire
Blanco (elbow) will undergo surgery next week and will be sidelined for the rest of the 2025 season, the Astros announced Wednesday.
Blanco reported soreness in his throwing elbow on May 19 and hit the injured list May 22 with elbow inflammation. Houston sought out a second opinion on the 31-year-old's injury, which yielded severe enough results to require season-ending surgery. It's unclear if he will have traditional Tommy John surgery or a hybrid internal brace procedure. Colton Gordon should fill Blanco's spot in the rotation until Luis Garcia (elbow) or Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) are reinstated from the IL, which isn't expected to happen until late June or July. Blanco finishes 2025 with a 3-4 record, a 4.10 ERA and 48:20 K:BB in 48.1 innings spanning nine starts.
