Vargas ready to make his Amazin’ debut

SAN DIEGO — The Mets signed Jason Vargas knowing he isn’t going to dominate opponents with his stuff, but aware that he can fully compensate with his head and heart.

“He’s going to go out and pitch, and one thing about Vargas: He is going to compete, no matter what is going on around him,” said pitching coach Dave Eiland, who previously worked with Vargas in Kansas City. It’s an approach Eiland said he would like to see his younger pitchers take: Forget the error a teammate might have just committed to put you in a jam or the bloop hit that scored a run or an umpire’s strike zone. The job is to battle for a victory, even when circumstances aren’t perfect.

Vargas will receive his first such opportunity in a Mets uniform Saturday, when he is scheduled to pitch for the first time with his new team. It comes after the 35-yearold lefty spent a month on the disabled list, following surgery to move the hamate bone in his non-throwing hand, which was broken during spring training when he was struck by a line drive.

“We are playing so well that I would think anybody would want to get out on the field and be a part of that and hopefully be a contributor,” Vargas said. “I am just looking forward to having a chance to do my job again.”

The Mets signed Vargas to a two-year contract worth $16 million with the idea he could provide insurance for a rotation besieged by question marks. One of those question marks, Matt Harvey, has been reassigned to the bullpen, clearing space in the rotation for Vargas.

But the Mets also have uncertainty about Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz, the latter of whom unraveled in his last start against the Cardinals after committing a throwing error.

“Vargas, he knows what his stuff is and he knows the value of keeping his cool and shrugging things off and not letting things worry him, is going to help him have success,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “It will be nice for Matzy to see another guy go out there and do that, with very limited stuff, compared to Steven.”

In 32 starts for the Royals last season, Vargas went 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA. He was named to the American League All-Star team, but scuffled in the second half — perhaps an effect of fatigue as he pitched his first full season following Tommy John surgery. In Vargas, the Mets believe they have a warrior.

“He is going to go out and compete, No. 1,” Eiland said. “He is going to change speeds and he’s not going to overpower anybody. Fastball is going to average 85 mph, but he is going to throw curveballs and changeups to both sides of the plate and throw any pitch in any count, no matter the situation.”

Vargas, who made one rehab start at Triple-A Las Vegas, said his right hand isn’t completely healed, but he is confident he can field his position.

“We’re still trying to work on getting the strength back to 100 percent,” he said. “But as far as being able to go out there and catch a baseball and do normal baseball stuff, we are doing pretty well. I am just happy to be back in a competitive situation.”