Ronel Blanco Ejected From Astros–Athletics After Foreign Substance Check

The pitcher appeared to argue it was just rosin on his glove.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco walks off the field after getting ejected Tuesday night. / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros had to call on their bullpen earlier than expected Tuesday night.

Moments before the top of the fourth inning of Houston's tilt against the Oakland Athletics, right-handed pitcher Ronel Blanco was ejected after umpires found a foreign substance on his glove. Blanco appeared to argue it was rosin on his glove—which is legal—but he still was sent back to the clubhouse.

Ronel Blanco has been ejected from the game after a foreign substance was found on his glove. pic.twitter.com/cO2Tuev4iQ

— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) May 15, 2024

Blanco held the A's scoreless through three innings before being ejected, registering four strikeouts while allowing four hits and one walk. He will likely serve a 10-game suspension due to MLB's policy enacted during June 2021 for pitchers who get caught with a sticky foreign substance.

In eight games this season, Blanco has logged a 4–0 record, 2.09 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. The Astros were 6–1 in games Blanco started entering Tuesday's clash against Oakland.