Josh Hader's left shoulder capsule sprain will sideline him for approximately three weeks, forcing Houston into bullpen reshuffles and a closer-by-committee approach. Hader posted a 2.05 ERA (201 ERA+), 28 saves in 48 appearances and was worth about 2.3 WAR, making his absence a sizable swing factor for late innings. Bennett Sousa and Bryan Abreu have already closed recent games, underscoring Espada's willingness to mix and match based on matchup and availability. The timing nerfs Houston's bid to hold a slim lead in the AL West as the schedule tightens.

The Astros open a three-game set with Baltimore while clinging to a 1.5-game edge over Seattle; the Mariners will face the Mets, and the division race remains fluid with the Rangers lurking. In the meantime, Alvarez, Paredes, Blanco, Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr., and Brandon Walter are also on the injured list, thinning both the lineup and rotation depth. For fantasy players, saves outlook becomes murkier by the day, especially with a potentially lengthy closing-by-committee period looming.

Pitching effectiveness hinges on the intricate balance of pitch selection and usage. Each MLB pitcher meticulously crafts their repertoire, utilizing advanced metrics to maximize performance. Recent analysis reveals inefficiencies in pitch deployment, with pitchers often falling short of optimal pitch mixes. The innovative Nash Score categorizes pitchers based on the balance of effectiveness and usage, indicating those who could enhance their performance by modifying their approach.

The latest Nash Score updates highlight standout pitchers like Jake Irvin of the Washington Nationals, who has mastered a balanced mix of pitches. Conversely, pitchers such as Ronel Blanco and Merrill Kelly struggle with suboptimal pitch usage. The analysis underscores that even elite pitchers can benefit from reassessing their strategies to unlock greater potential in their performance.

Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros recently underwent significant arm surgery, which involved repairing both his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and a flexor tendon. This internal brace technique aims to reinforce the UCL, potentially leading to faster recovery compared to conventional Tommy John surgery, which typically demands a 12-14 month hiatus. Blanco's elbow discomfort surfaced after a May 17 appearance against the Texas Rangers, prompting an MRI that revealed inflammation.

While there’s no specified recovery timeline from the Astros, it’s confirmed that Blanco will miss the remainder of the season. The 31-year-old had shown promise in 2024, recording a 2.80 ERA over 167.1 innings, but struggled in the early part of this season with a 4.10 ERA across his first nine starts. This surgery adds to the Astros' pitching woes, as they have already lost teammate Hayden Wesneski to a similar injury.

Zach Dezenzo, an exciting rookie for the Houston Astros, has been diagnosed with a "capsule sprain" in his left hand, which will keep him out of action for at least two weeks. Dezenzo felt discomfort during a recent game against the Tampa Bay Rays, leading to his exit after two at-bats and subsequent placement on the injured list. With a .245 batting average this season, Dezenzo has been a reliable option in both corner outfield positions for the Astros, making this injury a significant setback for the team.

In addition to Dezenzo's injury, the Astros will be without starter Ronel Blanco, who is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, effectively sidelining him for the remainder of the season. Blanco's absence will be felt in the Astros' pitching rotation, adding pressure on the remaining starters to step up in his absence.

The Houston Astros are bracing for a tough 2025 season following the announcement that right-handed starter Ronel Blanco will undergo Tommy John surgery next week. This painful reality comes after Blanco's promising start to the 2024 season, where he achieved a remarkable 2.80 ERA and threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays. With a timeline suggesting a 14-month recovery period, fans should not expect to see him back on the mound until after the 2026 All-Star Game. Blanco isn't the only key pitcher the Astros are missing; the team is currently navigating injuries to fellow starters Spencer Arrighetti and J.P. France, along with others recovering from Tommy John surgery. Manager Joe Espada will have to rely on rookies Ryan Gusto and Colton Gordon as the Astros sit at a 29-25 record, just 1.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the American League West.