Champions bring back lefty Blanco

The Ottawa Champions signed 26-year-old lefthanded pitcher Josh Blanco, who had a 3-2 record and 2.45 ERA in 33 relief appearances for the team a year ago before being signed by the Texas Rangers. The El Paso, Texas, native was assigned to the single-A High Desert Mavericks, where he appeared in seven games, compiling a 13.50 ERA. The Champions opened a three-game series on the road Friday against the Sussex County Miners and return home Tuesday for a homestand against Trois-Rivières and Rockland.