Houston Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco was ejected from Tuesday’s start against the Oakland Athletics when a foreign substance was found on his glove.
Blanco pitched three scoreless innings for the Astros. But when the umpires checked his glove as he came out for the fourth inning, something was wrong. The four umpires conferenced by the pitcher’s mound with Blanco, Houston catcher Yainer Díaz and manager Joe Espada all nearby.
Eventually, the decision was made that what Blanco had on his glove was not an acceptable amount and the pitcher was ejected.
Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco is ejected for use of a foreign substance on his glove. pic.twitter.com/6JioukZmBV
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 15, 2024
“Umpires have confiscated Ronel Blanco’s glove and brought it down to their locker room. Blanco now faces a 10-game suspension,” Chandler Rome of The Athletic added.
Umpires have confiscated Ronel Blanco’s glove and brought it down to their locker room. Blanco now faces a 10-game suspension. https://t.co/ZRIhXD48Cw
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 15, 2024
The Astros Stats Twitter/X shared Blanco’s spin rates in 2024 compared to 2023 and Tuesday’s starts compared to the rest of the 2024 season.
FWIW, Ronel Blanco’s average spin rate by season in light of his ejection.
2023 to 2024
4SM: 2267 RPM -> 2196 RPM
CH: 1431 RPM -> 1504 RPM
SL: 2149 RPM -> 2082 RPM
CU: 2211 RPM -> 2271 RPMSpin rate difference in tonight’s start against the A’s compared to his 2024 average:… pic.twitter.com/SVHhyVjGen
— Astros Stats 📈 (@astro_numbers) May 15, 2024
Blanco has been one of baseball’s best pitchers through the early weeks of the 2024 season. He threw a no-hitter in his first start of the season and entered Tuesday’s start with a 2.23 ERA, 1.015 WHIP, 41 strikeouts in 44.1 innings and a 4-0 record.
