MLB announces punishment for Astros’ Ronel Blanco over foreign substance
Less than a day following his discovery with an alien material in his glove, Major League Baseball announced its decision on Ronel Blanco.
Right-hander Blanco of the Houston Astros was sent off of Tuesday’s game against the Oakland Athletics. The umpires checked Blanco for foreign substances at the beginning of the fourth inning and discovered sticky stuff inside his glove.
Ronel Blanco was ejected tonight after umpires found a foreign substance in his glove pic.twitter.com/IYZINszzE4
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 15, 2024
Umpire at first base. The material in Blanco’s glove was later described by Erich Bacchus as “the stickiest stuff I’ve felt.”
First-base umpire Erich Bacchus conducted the glove check on Ronel Blanco. He told pool reporter @kristieAP that "It was the stickiest stuff I’ve felt on a glove since we’ve been doing this for a few years now."
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 15, 2024
The league office made known Blanco’s penalty on Wednesday. He has been fined an unknown sum and suspended for ten games. Blanco has the chance to appeal and may start serving the suspension on Wednesday night.
Among the brighter tales of the year for the struggling 17–25 Astros has been the 30-year-old Blanco. In his season debut, he threw a no-hitter and was very near to making it an unlikely two no-hitters in a succession. Blanco has 4-0 record overall in 2024 with a 1.06 WHIP and 2.09 ERA.
An MLB suspension for a foreign substance offense is usually ten games plus a fine. The Astros’ enduring reputation as cheaters will not be substantially shaken by this Blanco incident, though.
