LHP Jason Vargas will not be rejoining the New York Mets in Miami, as was originally hoped. Instead, the club will have him test his hamstring in a rehab start.
After completing an extended bullpen session on Tuesday, there was optimism that New York Mets starting pitcher Jason Vargas would be able to return from the IL and start on Sunday vs. the Miami Marlins.
He will be starting on Sunday, just not at the big league level. Per Mike Puma of the New York Post, Vargas will make a rehab start for Double-A Binghamton.
The plan, if all goes well, is for this to be the only rehab start that the 36-year-old will require.
As a result, the Mets will have to turn to a spot starter on Sunday once again. Wilmer Font has been unimpressive in his two chances, so it is possible that RHP Drew Gagnon will get an opportunity.
“We’ll have to see,” skipper Mickey Callaway said. “I thought that Drew threw the ball pretty well last night (Wednesday). So we’ll continue to talk about it, discuss it, and we’ll see where we’re at when the time comes.”
Gagnon made one start for the Mets in 2018 and had a 0.51 ERA in three April starts at Triple-A Syracuse.
While this news is not what Mets fans want to hear, there is positive news regarding another lefty.
After throwing a 45-pitch bullpen on Wednesday, Callaway confirmed Steven Matz will start on Saturday.
“I’m really happy,” Matz stated. “The trainers have been really happy with the progress. So I should be ready to roll for whatever’s next.”
Matz has been out since May 3 when he experienced forearm discomfort in his start against the Milwaukee Brewers.
