ILDEMARO VARGAS NEWS

Pushed off 40-man roster The Cubs designated Vargas for assignment Sunday.

Impact Vargas was deemed expendable with the Cubs needing a spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for catcher P.J. Higgins, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa to provide a healthy option behind the plate while backstop Willson Contreras (hamstring) is day-to-day. During his nearly two-week stay with Chicago, Vargas appeared in 10 games and hit .130/.231/.348 over 26 plate appearances.

MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hits first 2022 home run Vargas went 1-for-2 with two walks, a solo home run and two runs scored in Friday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Impact Vargas batted ninth but still provided an offensive spark in the 10-6 loss. The 30-year-old got the start at shortstop over Andrelton Simmons, though the latter seems likely to play more regularly moving forward as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. Vargas won't have a ton of fantasy value in a utility role off the bench.

MAY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to move into utility role Vargas is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Vargas had started each of the Cubs' last three games at shortstop, going 2-for-9 with a triple, a walk, two RBI and a run during that stretch. He'll likely move into a utility role now that Andrelton Simmons (shoulder) -- who was activated from the 10-day injured list Sunday -- is ready to make his first start of the season Monday.

MAY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Schwindel's go-ahead hit in 9th lifts Cubs over Arizona

Frank Schwindel hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2

MAY 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Triples, drives in two Friday Vargas went 1-for-3 with a triple, a run scored and two RBI in Friday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Impact Vargas isn't typically known for his offense and batted ninth in this one, but he was able to provide a useful fantasy line. The 30-year-old had his contract selected Tuesday with the Cubs putting Nick Madrigal (back) on the injured list, and Vargas will be a depth option while Chicago deals with some injuries.

MAY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marte has 3 hits to lift Diamondbacks over Cubs 4-3

Ketel Marte had three hits and drove in a run, Zach Davies pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3

MAY 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Outrighted to Triple-A Vargas was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

Impact Vargas spent time with the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Pirates during the 2021 campaign and hit .156 with four extra-base hits, seven runs, seven RBI and a stolen base in 34 appearances. The 30-year-old will lose his spot on the 40-man roster, and whether he remains in the organization next year remains to be seen.

OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kelly, lowly D-Backs rally past NL East-leading Braves 6-4

Carson Kelly hit a tying three-run homer in a five-run seventh inning, Daulton Varsho followed with a go-ahead double and the last-place Arizona Diamondbacks beat the NL East-leadi...

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starts for ailing Ahmed Vargas started at shortstop and went 2-for-4 with a double in Tuesday's 6-1 loss to Atlanta.

Impact Vargas got the start at short in place of Nick Ahmed, who has missed the last four games with a sore right shoulder, a bit of news that Arizona manager Torey Lovullo revealed Tuesday. In Ahmed's absence, Josh Rojas started three games with Vargas taking over Tuesday.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Joins big-league squad The Diamondbacks selected Vargas from Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Impact Vargas hasn't appeared at the MLB level since June 18, at which point he had managed a .137/.200/.176 slash line in 55 plate appearances with the Cubs, Pirates and Diamondbacks. He figures to serve as nothing more than additional infield depth for however long he's on the big-league roster.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Clears waivers Vargas has been outrighted to Triple-A Reno after clearing waivers, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Vargas has slashed a terrible .137/.200/.176 across 55 major-league plate appearances with the Diamondbacks, Cubs and Pirates this season. He didn't attract any interest on waivers after being DFA'd by Arizona on Saturday, so he'll continue to provide the club infield depth at Reno for the time being.

JUNE 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Buchanan: Ildemaro Vargas, whom the Diamondbacks... - The Athletic Ildemaro Vargas, whom the Diamondbacks designated for assignment on Saturday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno.

JUNE 22, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Designated for assignment Vargas was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Impact Vargas has already been designated for assignment three previous times this season. He cleared waivers the first time after getting dropped from the Cubs' 40-man roster in late March but was picked up by the Pirates after the Cubs DFA'd him again in mid-May. He lasted less than two weeks in Pittsburgh before being DFA'd yet again and traded to the Diamondbacks. It seems that teams like him enough to keep him around for a few weeks on the end of their bench, so it's possible he'll get claimed yet again this time around. The move clears a spot for the Diamondbacks to add the newly-signed Jake Faria.

JUNE 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Produces three RBI Vargas went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Mets.

Impact The 29-year-old's first multi-hit effort of the season directly accounted for half of Arizona's runs. Vargas knocked in a pair on a single in the first inning, and then added a game-tying RBI single in the sixth. He's slashing a meager .158/.220/.211 with no home runs, six RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base in 41 plate appearances between Arizona, Pittsburgh and Chicago this year. He'll likely fill a utility role now that he's begun his second stint with Arizona.

JUNE 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lindor scores winning run in 9th, Mets beat D-backs 7-6

Pete Alonso scored Francisco Lindor with a go-ahead single in the ninth inning, James McCann homered and drove in four, and the New York Mets beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-6

JUNE 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates trade utility player Ildemaro Vargas to Arizona in exchange for cash Two weeks after claiming utility man Ildemaro Vargas off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, the Pirates traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks o...

JUNE 2, 2021 • TRIBLIVE.COM

Rob Biertempfel: May 17: Pirates claim INF Ildemaro Vargas off... - The Athletic May 17: Pirates claim INF Ildemaro Vargas off waivers. Shelton: "His (versatility) really fits our club right now." May 18-30: Vargas goes 1...

JUNE 2, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Zach Buchanan: Ildemaro Vargas is back. The Diamondbacks... - The Athletic Ildemaro Vargas is back. The Diamondbacks acquire him from the Pirates for cash. Domingo Leyba is designated for assignment. Vargas made the...

JUNE 2, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Returns to desert The Diamondbacks acquired Vargas from the Pirates on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations.

Impact Vargas doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so the Diamondbacks will clear room for him on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster by designating infielder Domingo Leyba for assignment. Like Leyba before him, Vargas will likely be in store for a limited role as a utility option off the bench. The 29-year-old appeared in parts of his first four seasons in the big leagues with Arizona, but he's bounced around between three other organizations over the past two years.

JUNE 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rob Biertempfel: Pirates call up RHP Chase De Jong to start... - The Athletic Pirates call up RHP Chase De Jong to start today v Rockies. Ildemaro Vargas DFA RHP JT Brubaker has been placed on the Bereavement List. OF...

MAY 30, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

DFA'd by Pittsburgh Vargas was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Saturday.

Impact The 29-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Pirates nearly two weeks ago and went 1-for-13 in seven appearances. Vargas began the season with the Cubs and went 3-for-21 before being DFA'd. He could remain in the Pirates organization should he go unclaimed on waivers.

MAY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Albies hits 2 HRs, Acuña adds 15th shot, Braves top Pirates

Ozzie Albies hit home runs from both sides of the plate, Ronald Acuña Jr. led off with his major league-best 15th home run and the Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1

MAY 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ildemaro Vargas using past experiences to motivate him for current opportunity with Pirates Ildemaro Vargas took the long way to Pittsburgh. The Pirates claimed the 29-year-old utility man off waivers Monday from the Chicago Cubs, m...

MAY 20, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Arenado, Edman lead Cardinals to 5-2 win over Pirates

Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer, his fourth in four games, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2

MAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates claim infielder Ildemaro Vargas off waivers, DFA Troy Stokes Jr. Major League Baseball can be a cruel business sometimes. Less than a week ago, on May 11, outfielder Troy Stokes Jr. was celebrating his fir...

MAY 17, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM