PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Jason Vargas, Royals

Manager Ned Yost said at the end of last season that having Vargas return to make three September starts after he had Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2015 gave the Royals added hope for 2017. The 34-year-old left-hander delivered on that promise, winning his first three starts while posting a 0.44 ERA. He also was averaging almost seven innings per start and had 23 strikeouts in his first 202⁄ innings. In his fourth start, he gave up four runs (three earned) in five innings Monday. 3