Overview
- Blanco will be activated to start Monday at Miami after five minor-league rehab outings that covered 17 innings and yielded a 1.06 ERA.
- The Astros reinstated Blanco and lefty Bennett Sousa from the 60-day injured list and optioned reliever Bryan King (and infielder Ray Delgado) to Triple-A to open roster spots.
- Blanco underwent UCL repair with an internal brace plus flexor-tendon repair last June and could face a restricted pitch count after throwing 68 pitches in his final Triple-A rehab start.
- Houston has cycled 13 previous starters this season and entered the week with one of the highest starter ERAs in MLB, so Blanco’s return is a short-term move to stabilize the staff.
- Hayden Wesneski is also nearing a comeback and could rejoin the rotation soon, which would give the Astros more internal options before the trade deadline.