The New York Mets will skip struggling left-hander Jason Vargas’ next turn in the rotation on Tuesday.
Manager Mickey Callaway said Friday that Vargas will instead throw a simulated game before the Mets host Toronto. Vargas is 0-3 with a 13.86 ERA since returning from surgery on his right hand.
“You’ve got to look yourself in the mirror and just understand that the job wasn’t getting done,” Vargas said after completing a bullpen session before Friday night’s game at Philadelphia. “You have the opportunity to work on a few things and get some reps in that you wouldn’t normally be able to get in. I understood, totally got it. I need to be able to go out there and help the ball team win and those past three starts haven’t been it.”
I know that he was an All-star just last year and available at an affordable price when he became a free-agent, but I never really understood the need to sign Vargas this past off-season. Robert Gsellman or Seth Lugo could’ve easily been the Mets 5th starter going into the season and I would’ve rather had another quality left-handed reliever to go with Jerry Blevins, than yet another starting pitcher. That said, to say that Vargas has been atrocious this season would be an understatement. So the Mets should be willing to try anything to help him clear his head and work on his mechanics right, including skipping a start.