Ronel Blanco Suspended 10 Games by MLB
Astros Pitcher Received Ban After Hitting Batter Intentionally
Blanco's Suspension Stems from Incident During Game Against Mariners
Ronel Blanco, the starting pitcher for the Houston Astros, has been suspended for 10 games by Major League Baseball (MLB) after hitting a Seattle Mariners batter intentionally on Wednesday. The suspension, which was announced on Thursday, is effective immediately.
The incident occurred in the bottom of the fifth inning of Wednesday's game between the Astros and Mariners. With the bases loaded and one out, Blanco hit Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez with a pitch, which resulted in a benches-clearing brawl.
MLB determined that Blanco intentionally hit Rodriguez, and the league's suspension policy calls for a 10-game ban for such an offense. Blanco will miss the first 10 games of the Astros' upcoming road trip, which begins on Friday in San Francisco.
Blanco's suspension is a significant blow to the Astros, who are already without several key players due to injuries. The team will be hoping that Blanco can return to the mound quickly and help them maintain their position atop the American League West standings.
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