The MLB has suspended Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco 10 games for violating the league’s prohibitions on foreign substances. Blanco was ejected from Tuesday’s start against the Oakland Athletics in the fourth inning after officials found a foreign substance on his glove. He has the ability to appeal, but for now, he is projected to miss his next two starts against the Milwaukee Brewers and A’s.
Blanco made more positive headlines earlier in the season as he tossed his first career no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1. Since then, he has amassed a 4-0 record and a 2.09 ERA. With how bad the start of Houston’s season has been, he has been a bright spot. Even if he does appeal, it will likely still be more than five games, thus sidelining him for his next scheduled start at the minimum.
The question will be what the Astros do to fill in for him. J.P. France and Spencer Arrighetti were forced to fill in due to injuries to the rotation earlier in the season. France is 0-3 with a 7.46 ERA in five starts, while Arrighetti is 1-4 with a 7.52 ERA. Luckily, it should just be for one or two starts, but this suspension is the last thing that the Astros need right now with how their season is going. Houston was able to escape with the 2-1 win in extra innings to move to 17-25 on the season.