Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

He logged a 4.50 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 12 innings while working in a low-leverage role. The move clears a roster spot for Saturday's starter J.P. France.

Blanco has won the final bullpen spot for the Astros and will make the Opening Day roster, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blanco will be the multi-inning option for the Astros after being stretched out to throw 40-to-50 pitches over the spring. The 29-year-old earned his spot with a 0.64 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB in 14 innings during Grapefruit League play.

Blanco will get stretched out to 40-to-50 pitches this spring, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Blanco reached Triple-A for the first time in 2019 but has struggled to keep a spot on the major-league roster as a reliever. By shifting him toward longer stints on the mound, the Astros hope to give Blanco an additional path to sticking on the roster. He's pitched well early on this spring, throwing three scoreless innings while striking out six.

Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Blanco began the season with the major-league club but posted a 7.11 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 6.1 innings over seven appearances while serving as a low-leverage reliever. He had 22 saves with a 3.40 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 45 innings over 42 appearances in Sugar Land last year and will attempt to replicate his success in the minors before potentially rejoining the Astros at some point.