Vargas will make weekend rehab start in Binghamton, Matz feels “ready to go” after bullpen session

Jason Vargas will begin his rehab assignment this weekend instead of rejoining the team’s rotation. Vargas, who last pitched for the New York Mets on May 5, will start for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Sunday.

Vargas‘s last outing came on May 5, when he lasted four innings before exiting the game with mild hamstring tightness. Prior to his removal, the veteran left-hander allowed three earned runs on three hits in four innings. On the season, Vargas has logged 24.1 innings across six starts and one relief appearance and has a 5.92 ERA, a 5.73 FIP, and a 1.56 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and 12 walks.

The Mets have used Wilmer Font in place of Vargas after acquiring him in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. After holding the San Diego Padres to two runs on four hits on May 8, he folded last night and was charged with five earned runs on six hits in 2.1 innings against the Washington Nationals. According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the team could consider Drew Gagnon to start over Font. Gagnon has looked good as of late and has not allowed a run over his last 5.2 innings of relief.

With Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard scheduled to pitch on Friday and Sunday, respectively, the Mets will need to find a starter for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Miami Marlins. According to the Daily News’s Deesha Thosar, Steven Matz felt “ready to go” after throwing over 40 pitches in his bullpen session yesterday and should be able to pitch this weekend barring a setback. Matz has not pitched since May 3 and was diagnosed with a minor nerve issue. Matz has made seven starts in 2019 and has a 3.86 ERA, a 5.10 FIP, and a 1.20 WHIP in 35 innings.