Astros' Blanco needs elbow surgery, will miss rest of season 2s1229

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco will undergo right elbow surgery next week and miss the rest of the 2025 season, the club announced Wednesday. 63416v

Astros manager Joe Espada said Blanco will have Tommy John surgery, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome.

Blanco was placed on the 15-day injured list May 22 with right elbow inflammation.

The 31-year-old finishes the campaign with a 3-4 record, a 4.10 ERA, and 48 strikeouts across 48 1/3 innings.

"As a team and as the leader of this team, I have to keep these guys focused on the goal," Espada said. "We're still the best team in the (AL) West, and (after) this news, we have to pick each other up, find someone who can come up and step up and pick these innings up."

The Astros' rotation has been battered by injuries this season. Spencer Arrighetti (fractured thumb), J.P. (shoulder surgery), Luis Garcia (elbow), Cristian Javier (elbow), and Hayden Wesneski (elbow) are all on the injured list as well.

The Astros' current five-man rotation includes Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez, Lance McCullers Jr., Ryan Gusto, and Colton Gordon.