Emilio

Vargas

Vargas returns to the White Sox’ minor-league system after recording a solid 2.90 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 99/28 K/BB ratio across 83 2/3 innings (21 appearances, 15 starts) at Double-A Birmingham. The 25-year-old righty will function as organizational pitching depth next season.

This is the first round of spring training cuts for the White Sox, who have 54 players remaining on the major league side of camp. That includes 28 pitchers, five catchers, 13 infielders, and eight outfielders.

Vargas was designated for assignment last week in order to make room for Carlos Rodon on the 40-man roster. The 24-year-old had a 3.78 ERA and 70/23 K/BB ratio over 85 2/3 innings with the Diamondbacks’ Double-A affiliate in 2019 and has yet to appear in a major league game. He’ll be in big league camp as a non-roster invitee this month.

Chicago claimed Vargas off waivers from the Diamondbacks in November, but he’s off the 40-man roster now to clear the way for Carlos Rodon’s return. Vargas, 24, has yet to appear in a game at the MLB level.

Vargas was added to the D-backs’ 40-man roster a couple years ago but still hasn’t made a big league appearance. The 24-year-old held a 3.78 ERA and 70/23 K/BB ratio over 85 2/3 innings at the Double-A level in 2019.

Vargas, 22, registered a 2.88 ERA and 170/49 K/BB ratio in 143 2/3 innings this past season between High-A Visalia and Double-A Jackson. He probably would have been a popular name in the Rule 5 Draft.

Vargas allowed just two hits and one run over eight dominant innings. The 20-year-old Dominican Republic native is 3-1 over his last five starts with a 1.90 ERA. Vargas hasn’t been a big strikeout pitcher throughout the season (his previous high was 10 Ks) but he obviously missed plenty of bats on Saturday. The right-hander began the year with High-A Visalia but was sent down to Kane County after producing an ugly 6.75 ERA in his first two starts.