Joe Blanton held the Pirates to just one earned run on six hits and over 7 1/3 innings Sunday. Blanton would have been in line for his second win of the season if not for a blown save by Ernesto Frieri. He was forced to settle for a no-decision and ranks behind only Cole Hamels with 10 losses. Blanton surprisingly has eight quality starts, but is posting just a 5.36 ERA and 1.53 WHIP.

After having his last start skipped, Joe Blanton allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings and struck out 11 against the Mariners on Tuesday. That's a nice Quality Start for Blanton, but he still gave up two more homers (Raul Ibanez and Justin Smoak went back-to-back in the second inning), bringing his season total to 15 surrendered in 83 1/3 innings. He has pitched effectively in four of his last five outings, but an easier schedule has had a lot to do with that.

Joe Blanton will start for the Angels on Tuesday against the Mariners. Blanton was skipped over the weekend, but he hasn't lost his spot in the rotation, at least not yet. He holds a 5.87 ERA and 1.63 WHIP for the season but has, for the most part, pitched better of late.

Joe Blanton will be skipped in the Angels' rotation this weekend against the Yankees. That means C.J. Wilson, Tommy Hanson, and Jered Weaver will start this weekend. Blanton was smoked for seven runs (six earned) in five innings last time out and owns a disappointing 5.87 ERA through 13 starts this year.

Joe Blanton struck out 11 and allowed two runs over eight innings but took a loss Monday against the Astros. It was his first double-digit strikeout game since 2009 and bested his previous season-high by four. Despite the great effort, Blanton falls to 1-9 for the season. The good news for the right-hander is that he holds a 2.95 ERA over his last three starts, which should be good enough to hold off Jerome Williams for the fifth spot in the rotation. He'll face the Red Sox in Boston this weekend.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after Tuesday's game that Joe Blanton will remain in the starting rotation. Jerome Williams is also making at least one more start, so the Angels will go with a six-man rotation now that Jered Weaver and Tommy Hanson are back. We're guessing they won't stick with the arrangement for long. Blanton gave up three runs in seven innings Tuesday against the Dodgers and is 1-8 with a 5.94 ERA in 11 starts this season.

Joe Blanton dropped to 1-8 despite holding the Dodgers to three runs over seven innings on Tuesday. Blanton has made a case for retaining his rotation spot with back-to-back quality starts. Still, now that the Angels have Jered Weaver and Tommy Hanson back, expectations are that Blanton will find himself in middle relief for a spell.

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times speculates that Joe Blanton could lose his rotation spot when Jered Weaver returns from the disabled list. Weaver will make what could be his final extended spring training appearance on Wednesday, which is the same day Blanton is scheduled to start. It doesn't necessarily mean Blanton is the most vulnerable, but it would hardly be a surprise if he's given the boot considering his 0-7 record, 6.62 ERA and 1.97 WHIP. Jerome Williams is the other candidate to lose his spot, but he's out-pitched Blanton by a wide margin this season.

The Royals blitzed Joe Blanton on Monday night for seven earned runs over 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out seven and didn't walk a batter, but the Royals were thoroughly unimpressed with his stuff, racking up 12 hits. If you're a glass-half-full guy or gal, we'll point out that Blanton entered the contest with three consecutive quality starts. While his peripherals suggest improvement is coming, Blanton simply can't get much worse than his 0-7 record or 6.46 ERA. If he can't get his act together Saturday against the White Sox, shouts for his rotation spot will intensify.

Joe Blanton allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings, but the Angels lost to the Astros on Wednesday. The right-hander has now turned in quality starts in his last three outings and has three losses to show for it. What's more, the Angels have now lost every one of Blanton's starts this year. Blanton does deserve some of his fate, though -- he's now got a 5.66 ERA and 1.79 WHIP on the season. He's not a factor in mixed leagues at this point. He'll search for his first win Monday against the Royals.