The Texas Rangers have signed right-handed pitcher Nick Tropeano to a minor league deal, per a tweet from the team's executive vice president of public affairs, John Blake on Wednesday. Tropeano has logged 241 innings at the Major League level since the start of the 2014 season. A starter earlier in his career, the 31-year-old's last 12 Major League appearances have come out of the bullpen, including five during the 2021 season split between the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. In those five appearances, the right-hander allowed three walks, two earned runs, and a home run while striking out two. He'll provide the Rangers with some additional bullpen depth.
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso remained red hot on Friday, going 2-for-2 with a home run, a double, four RBI, and a walk in the Mets' 8-6 win over the Phillies. Alonso now has 12 HR on the season to go with 45 RBI which leads the majors. Alonso also set a Mets team record becoming the first Met ever to have 45 RBI prior to Memorial Day. Alonso, who is now slashing .283/.348/.528, remains a must-start option in all formats. He is an elite first base option who is having an incredible campaign so far in 2022.
On Friday, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carlos Rodon went just 5 1/3 innings pitched against the Cincinnati Reds. Rodon allowed three earned runs on seven hits and three walks in the Giants' 5-1 loss to the Reds. Rodon's ERA jumped to 3.60 on the season. Over 50 IP he owns a 1.24 WHIP and 64 strikeouts in nine starts. Rodon will look to get back on track against the Phillies on the road next Wednesday. Rodon remains a solid starting pitching option in all formats despite the poor outing on Friday and should remain active.
New York Mets corner infield/outfield prospect Mark Vientos went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer on Friday for Triple-A Syracuse. After a slow start to the season, Vientos has been red hot in May. On the season, Vientos has seven homers, 20 RBI, and a .240/.321/.488 slash line. In May, Vientos has belted six of his seven homers and slashed .317/.388/.667 over 60 at-bats. Vientos is the Mets' fourth-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline and is coming off a solid 2021 campaign. He is on the Mets' 40-man roster and has a legitimate shot at joining the team later this season if he continues to produce at Triple-A. This is particularly true if the Mets deal J.D. Davis and/or Dominic Smith for pitching ahead of the July trade deadline. Vientos should be rostered in all dynasty formats and redraft managers should keep an eye on him as the season progresses.
Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) was able to throw off of the mound for the first time ahead of his team's Friday night game. The 28-year-old threw sinkers, four-seam fastballs, and changeups, with his velocity sitting in the low 80s. McCullers has yet to pitch in 2022 after injuring his forearm during the 2021 playoffs and having a setback this past January. The veteran hurler posted a 13-5 record, 3.16 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts over 162 1/3 innings of work last season. He realistically isn't likely to be back in the majors until the second half of the season.
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon reportedly got an MRI on his injured right wrist on Friday. Rendon felt something during a swing in Thursday's game and went off for an MRI on Friday, although the Angels have yet to divulge the results of the MRI. Rendon is hitting .242 with five homers, 15 runs, 23 RBI, and two steals over 41 games in 2022. The Angels should offer more information about Rendon's wrist after Friday's game, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise if an injured list stint was needed for Rendon.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Jesse Winker is dealing with a sore right shoulder, according to reports. Winker was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of his team's Friday night game against the Houston Astros. Adam Frazier moved from second base to left field and Sam Haggerty found his name on the lineup card as the second baseman. Winker is hitting .213 with two homers, 13 runs, and 16 RBI across 155 at-bats in his first season with Seattle. Expect an injury update on Winker after the game on Friday night.
Seattle Mariners right-hander Ken Giles (finger) is heading off to a rehab assignment this weekend. Giles has not yet pitched in 2022 after injuring the middle finger on his pitching hand during the spring. The veteran hurler has not appeared in an MLB game since needing Tommy John surgery late in September of 2020. Giles will probably see an extended rehab assignment as a result but he is eventually expected to vie for some ninth-inning work for Seattle this season.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham was a late scratch ahead of his team's Friday night game against the San Francisco Giants. Pham was involved in a pregame altercation with Giants outfielder Joc Pederson and apparently slapped the latter during Cincinnati's batting practice ahead of the game. The incident reportedly stemmed from a disagreement in the fantasy football league that the two of them are both in. MLB is investigating the incident and Pham agreed not to play on Friday night as a result. There is a real possibility that Pham will face disciplinary action from the league and could be looking at a suspension.
Houston Astros right-hander Jake Odorizzi (ankle) threw a bullpen session on Friday ahead of his team's game against the Seattle Mariners. Odorizzi tossed 41 pitches in the session, his second of the week, as he works his way back from the injured list. The veteran hurler appeared to injure himself badly last week, with some fearing he ruptured his Achilles, but instead Odorizzi is trending toward a return. He has made seven starts this season, posting a 3.13 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings of work.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (shoulder) is back in the starting lineup on Friday, while designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (back) is on the bench against Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah. Ward is serving as the DH and hitting leadoff after entering the game as a pinch-hitter on Thursday. The 28-year-old should be returned to all fantasy lineups in single-year formats, as he's hitting .367/.477/.706 with nine home runs, 23 RBI, 27 runs scored and one stolen base in 109 at-bats. Ohtani left his start on the mound on Thursday due to back stiffness, and he should be considered day-to-day for now. Last year's American League MVP is slashing .249/.318/.446 with nine home runs, 29 RBI, 31 runs scored and seven stolen bases in 45 games at the plate.
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