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.

Joe Blanton dropped to 0-5 on the year by giving up three runs (two earned) in eight innings Thursday against the Orioles.

Blanton gave up eight hits and two walks while striking out three batters. He also managed his first 1-2-3 inning of the season. While he took the loss, it was easily his best outing as an Angel. He has a good chance for a win next week against the Astros, but we'd still stay away from him in standard mixed fantasy leagues.

Joe Blanton fell to 0-4 for the Angels after giving up three runs in six innings against the Mariners on Saturday.

Technically, it was his first quality start of the year. Though since he was facing the Mariners, we're not sure three runs in six innings really qualifies as a quality start. He's not worth using against the Orioles next week.

Joe Blanton was roughed up for four runs on 12 hits and a walk over six innings in Monday's loss to the Rangers.

He failed to strike out a batter. Blanton was handed a 6-3 lead to start the seventh, but he gave up a leadoff single and then watched the bullpen cough up the lead. The right-hander has now allowed a whopping 38 hits over 20 2/3 innings this season and has whiffed just eight batters. He'll get the Mariners at Safeco this weekend.

Joe Blanton surrendered four runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings Monday in a loss to the Twins.

Blanton gave up two more homers on a cold night at Target Field. He's allowed six bombs in 14 2/3 innings for the season. There's still hope that he'll have some value in AL-only leagues as the season goes along, but he's a tough guy to play right now.

Joe Blanton gave up six runs and 10 hits in five innings Wednesday in a loss to the Athletics.

The Angels thought Blanton's recent ERAs were deceptive and that if he was put in a big ballpark with a great defensive outfield, he'd turn it around. It may yet happen, but two starts in, he's 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA and four homers allowed in 10 innings. AL-only leaguers should hold on to him and hope for better results Monday against the Twins.

Joe Blanton surrendered five runs -- four earned -- over five innings Thursday in a loss to the Reds.

Blanton gave up seven hits, including home runs to Shin-Soo Choo, Chris Heisey and Todd Frazier. The right-hander was excellent this spring in the Cactus League but isn't going to be an attractive regular-season fantasy option. He will face off against the A's next week.

Joe Blanton held the Dodgers scoreless over six innings in his final spring training start Thursday.

Facing a lineup made up mostly of Dodgers' regulars, Blanton allowed five hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out four. The right-hander has had a great showing during Cactus League play, posting a 2.37 ERA and 13/0 K/BB ratio over 19 innings.

Joe Blanton allowed two runs over six innings in Saturday's Cactus League loss to the Cubs.

Blanton now has a spring ERA of 3.46. The 32-year-old right-hander allowed seven hits and struck out five in his six innings. He'll be counted on to take the ball every fifth day for the Angels in 2013.

Joe Blanton permitted two runs over five innings in Wednesday's loss to the Padres.

He gave up five hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out a pair. Blanton hasn't had an ERA lower than 4.71 in three years, but he's peripherals were good and he'll have a pitcher-friendly home park in 2013.

Joe Blanton gave up one run over two innings of work in his spring debut Sunday against the Cubs.

It was typical Blanton, he allowed a home run to Brian Bogusevic in the first inning, but managed to retire his final six batters. Blanton is locked-in as the Angels' No. 3 starter and should make for a solid AL-only option.

Angels signed RHP Joe Blanton to a two-year, $15 million contract with an $8 million club option for 2015.

Blanton will make $6.5 million next season and $7.5 million in 2014 while the option carries a $1 million buyout. The 32-year-old right-hander posted a 4.71 ERA and 166/34 K/BB ratio over 191 innings this past season between the Phillies and Dodgers and should slot behind Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson and Tommy Hanson in the Angels' rotation. Making half of his starts in pitcher-friendly Angel Stadium will help his chances of being useful, but he's only a fringe option in standard mixed fantasy leagues.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that Joe Blanton's deal with the Angels is for two years and $15 million.

Previous reports said that it was only a one-year deal, but apparently that's not the case. Blanton posted a 4.71 ERA in 2012 for the Phillies and Dodgers, which was his lowest mark in three years. It's possible that the Angels could still be in the hunt for another starter even after acquiring Blanton and Tommy Hanson.