Overview
- Blanco made his first major-league start since May 17, 2025, on Monday, throwing 4 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts and allowing two two-run homers.
- He averaged a 94 mph fastball and generated 18 whiffs, showing the arm strength and aggressiveness the Astros hope to regain.
- Control and workload limited his night, as three walks and an 86-pitch limit ended his outing and left durability concerns to monitor.
- The Astros backed Blanco with a six-run second inning, including Jeremy Peña’s grand slam and Yordan Álvarez’s two homers, to secure an 8-5 win that snapped a four-game skid.
- How Blanco and fellow returnee Hayden Wesneski perform in coming starts will help determine whether Houston buys pitching at the trade deadline or leans on internal reinforcements.