More bad news for the Astros rotation. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Astros’ battered starting rotation suffered another blow this week as right-hander Ronel Blanco was sent back to Houston to be evaluated by team doctors after experiencing elbow soreness.
Ronel Blanco has elbow soreness and was sent back to Houston to be seen by team doctors.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) May 21, 2025
Blanco, who has been one of the bright spots in a rotation ravaged by injuries, now becomes the latest name on a growing list of sidelined Astros arms. His departure comes at a time when the club can least afford it, with the rotation already operating under extreme strain.
The Astros have already lost Hayden Wesneski for the season after the young righty was diagnosed with a torn UCL and will undergo Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier are each still working their way back from Tommy John procedures of their own.
In addition, JP France is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and Spencer Arrighetti is on the shelf with a broken thumb.
The team has leaned heavily on minor-league reinforcements and bullpen arms to patch together innings, but with Blanco now dealing with arm discomfort, those emergency options are thinning fast.
The severity of his elbow soreness is not yet known, but the decision to send him home for evaluation signals real concern.
With so many starters either injured or rehabbing, Houston’s pitching depth is being tested early. For a team built around elite run prevention, the health of the rotation may ultimately define their season. And let's face it, it's mostly been a worst-case scenario when Astros pitchers have dealt with elbow discomfort. Hopefully that won't be the case with Blanco.
*ChatGPT assisted.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!
National media insider sounds off on why Texans deserve more respect
Jun 12, 2025, 3:59 pm
NFL analyst Albert Breer isn’t buying the quiet offseason surrounding the Houston Texans. In his view, the buzz — or lack of it — isn’t reflective of what this team actually is: a legitimate AFC contender that should be taken seriously in 2025.
Much of the skepticism, Breer believes, comes from surface-level narratives. The Texans went 10-7 in the regular season last year, a step back from the lofty expectations set after C.J. Stroud’s electric rookie year and Houston’s dramatic playoff push. And while the offense didn’t maintain its early-season explosion under Bobby Slowik, people seem to be overlooking how that same Texans team ended the year: as one of the last four teams standing in the AFC — alongside the Chiefs, Bills, and Ravens.
In Breer’s eyes, Houston belongs in that group. The defense is championship-caliber, with rising stars and playmakers at every level. And offensively, the switch to Nick Caley as offensive coordinator could be just what the unit needs. Caley brings a fresh voice and perspective, and paired with a fully settled-in Stroud, the Texans are well-positioned to take another leap forward.
One moment Breer points to as underrated: Houston’s Divisional Round game against Kansas City at Arrowhead. While most remember the Texans bowing out of the playoffs there, many forget they were trailing by just one point going into the fourth quarter — toe-to-toe with the defending Super Bowl champs in one of the toughest environments in football.
The Texans’ current win total is set at 9.5 by oddsmakers — a line Breer believes is too low. His expectation? Twelve wins and another deep playoff run. To him, the narrative that Houston is being “slept on” will disappear soon enough — likely around the time the Texans remind everyone why they’re still a problem in the AFC.
You can watch the video below for the full conversation.
___________________________
*ChatGPT assisted.
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!
