Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco ejected due to foreign substance
Ronel Blanco was enjoying a nice outing against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday, having three clean innings thus far. Four hits, one walk, and four strikeouts had the Houston Astros up 1-0 heading into the fourth inning but before getting back to the dugout, a problem with the umpires arose.
As usual, a check of the glove and hands took place but this time, Blanco was stopped. Umpire Laz Diaz took Blanco’s glove and thought there was a foreign substance instead. Oakland color commentator Dallas Braden stuck up for Blanco a bit, saying he may be arguing a mixture of Rosen and sweat built up inside of the glove.
After discussions, the umpiring crew felt there was enough there to eject Blanco and have him hit the showers early. Astros manager Joe Espada was not too thrilled with the decision and everyone on the Houston side looked confused.
Either way, Blanco is not allowed to pitch for the rest of the night. His glove was taken by the umpires and will be inspected after the game by them and others in the Major League Baseball offices in New York. If Blanco is found guilty, he will face a 10-game suspension.
You can check out the entire sequence from Minute Maid Park here.
If MLB were to find Blanco guilty and the suspension immediately began, he would not be able to pitch until Sunday, May 26. Houston would once again be facing Oakland but this time on the road in a get-away game before heading up to Seattle.
Losing a starting pitcher for at least two starts is not exactly what the Astros need at the moment. Injuries have piled up this season as three guys — Lance McCullers, Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy — are still slated to miss a good chunk of time. Urquidy is on the quickest timeline, scheduled to return sometime in late May.
Heading into Tuesday night, Houston was nine games under .500. Injuries have certainly played a part but the overall pitching staff, rotation and bullpen, have not played up to its standard. Winning four out of five has brought some good results to the ball club, though.
Everyone involved with the organization is hoping Blanco is not the latest slipup. Not just because he was accused of using a foreign substance but losing him for 10 games would leave for some tough decisions in the front office.