Mets deal pitcher Vargas to Phillies
Philadelphia bolstered its beleaguered starting rotation Monday as the Phillies reeled in Jason Vargas from the New York Mets for Class AA catcher Austin Bossart.
Vargas, 36, is 6- 5 with a 4.01 ERA, winning his past three starts. He became expendable when the Mets acquired right- hander Marcus Stroman from Toronto Sunday night for two pitching prospects.
The veteran left- hander could start Friday night against the Chicago White Sox.
Vargas is owed $ 2,666,667 of his $ 8 million salary for the remainder of this season, and his contract includes an $ 8 million club option for 2020 with a $ 2 million buyout. He receives a $ 250,000 assignment bonus.
New York agreed to pay $ 666,667 of Vargas’ 2020 salary, with $ 333,333 payable Sept. 2 and $ 333,334 Oct. 1, and $ 250,000 to offset the assignment bonus. In addition, the Mets will pay $ 2 million in 2020 to offset the salary or the buyout.
Vargas’ ERA would be second to Aaron Nola on Philadelphia’s staff, and his WHIP ( 1.27) would rank first. Opponents are batting just .228 against Vargas despite a fastball that seldom travels more than 85 mph.
The 26- year- old Bossart is hitting .195 with seven homers and 28 RBIs at Reading of the Eastern League. He was a 14th- round pick in the 2015 amateur draft from the University of Pennsylvania.
Astros
Houston outfielder Jake Marisnick’s two- game suspension for his home plate collision July 7 with Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy has been upheld. Marisnick was suspended July 11 by chief baseball officer Joe Torre but appealed the decision to John McHale Jr., a special assistant to baseball commissioner Rob Manfred. The commissioner’s office had a hearing July 23 and the penalty was upheld. Lucroy had a concussion and a broken nose. Torre said he didn’t believe Marisnick intended to injure Lucroy, but Marisnick’s actions warranted discipline because they violated MLB rules designed to protect catchers. Marisnick will serve the suspension Tuesday and Wednesday.
Nationals
Starting pitcher Max Scherzer is back on the 10day injured list, unwelcome news for Washington as it tries to catch Atlanta in the NL East while pushing for a wild- card berth. The Nationals announced Scherzer has a minor rhomboid strain similar to the inflammation under his right shoulder that forced him to the IL for 19 days earlier in July.
Blue Jays
Toronto called up top prospect Bo Bichette about 2 hours before first pitch against the Kansas City Royals Monday night as they continued with sweeping changes to their big league roster. Bichette, the son of longtime outfielder Dante Bichette, is the third legacy player to join the Blue Jays roster. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio joined the major league club earlier this season.
Dodgers
Los Angeles traded lefthanded pitcher Zac Rosscup to the St. Louis Cardinals for cash. The Dodgers also put utilityman Enrique Hernandez on the injured list with a sprained left hand. Rosscup likely will join the Cardinals’ Class AAA affiliate in Memphis but it unclear if the Cardinals will use him as a starter or reliever.