Jason Vargas recalled, Jacob Rhame optioned to Triple-A

This afternoon, the Mets recalled Jason Vargas from his rehab assignment, in order for him to start tonight at Petco Park against the Padres. To make room on the 40 man roster, Jacob Rhame was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Vargas was signed to a two-year, $14 million contract with the Mets in the off-season, with a team option for 2020. In 2017, Vargas had a good year, winning 18 games for the Kansas City Royals. He is expected to bring some stability to the Mets’ rotation which, aside from Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom, has been far from consistent. Vargas, when healthy, has averaged 187 innings a year, which the Mets could sorely use. This, obviously, does not include his injured plagued 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Rhame, just called up yesterday, was acquired in the Curtis Granderson trade with the Dodgers last year. He has only made four appearances thus far for both the Mets and the Las Vegas 51s, but had a good spring, and looks likely to be a part of the major league bullpen plans at some point this season.

Vargas fractured his non-throwing hand this spring, and has made one rehab start in Las Vegas, as well as thrown a number of simulated games.