Ronel Blanco is expected to be part of the Astros' starting rotation, joining Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, and Spencer Arrighetti. His inclusion is crucial as the team deals with injuries to other pitchers, providing depth and stability in the lineup.

Ronel Blanco is poised to return as one of the four starters for the Astros, alongside Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, and Spencer Arrighetti. With potential openings in the rotation, his performance will be crucial as the team navigates the recovery of McCullers and Garcia.

Ronel Blanco successfully transitioned from a reliever to a starter last season, exemplifying the trend of pitchers making effective moves between roles. His performance contributed to the growing confidence among teams, including the Mets, in utilizing former relievers as starters.

Ronel Blanco had a standout 2024 season, throwing a no-hitter in his first start and finishing with a 2.56 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in the first half. Although he experienced a slight decline in the second half, he still posted a solid 3.24 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over a career-high in innings. This was his first full season as a starter, and he achieved a career-low walk rate and a career-high strikeout rate. With improved underlying metrics, Blanco is positioned as a valuable target for the 2025 season, though there is some risk associated with his workload and consistency as a full-time starter.

Ronel Blanco is expected to return to the Astros' major-league rotation alongside Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, and Spencer Arrighetti. He represents part of the team's starting depth as they look to bolster their pitching staff for the upcoming season.