HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 20: Ronel Blanco #56 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Daikin Park on July 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images) Getty
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 16: Raynel Delgado #29 of the Houston Astros scores a run in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Daikin Park on June 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) Getty
The Houston Astros snuck into the MLB playoffs by the hairs on their chinny-chin-chin. They were the only team to make the postseason out of the AL West Division, beating out the Texas Rangers , Seattle Mariners , Oakland Athletics , and Los Angeles Angels . Now, they are going toe-to-toe with the Chicago White Sox , with news regarding Ronel Blanco emerging.
Tuesday's White Sox – Astros Wild Card game is scheduled for 3:00 PM Mountain Time, 4:00 PM Central Time, and 5:00 PM Eastern Time. AJ Blubaugh will start for the Astros, and the White Sox will start Hagen Smith.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 20: Ronel Blanco #56 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Daikin Park on July 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)
Before they took to the field for the first game of their White Sox – Astros series, Houston announced a few transactions. One of those transactions involved Blanco.
According to the MiLB Transactions Log , they optioned Blanco in addition to a couple of other moves: "Houston Astros sent RHP Jason Alexander outright to Sugar Land Space Cowboys . Houston Astros recalled 2B Raynel Delgado from Sugar Land Space Cowboys. Houston Astros optioned RHP Ronel Blanco to Sugar Land Space Cowboys."
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys receive a few players in Blanco being optioned and Jason Alexander outrighted. On the flip side, the Astros add Raynel Delgado, a 26-year-old with some versatility.
The 33-year-old Blanco has been rehabbing from elbow surgery this season.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 16: Raynel Delgado #29 of the Houston Astros scores a run in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Daikin Park on June 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Blanco has had a rough season.
The aging veteran pitcher has only made eight appearances, including five starts. In those appearances, Blanco has 29 strikeouts, a 6.68 ERA, and a 1.37 WHIP in 33.2 innings.
Meanwhile, Delgado has played 20 games for the Astros this season. In those games, he has recorded nine hits, one double, four RBIs, three walks, and one home run.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
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