Vargas takes MLB mound for first time in nearly 14 months on Saturday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jason Vargas makes his first start with the Royals since July 21, 2015 when Kansas City hosts the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
Vargas, who had Tommy John surgery after that outing, will be limited to 45 pitches and three innings against the Chicago White Sox, who rallied to win the first contest of the four-game series 7-4 on Friday.
Manager Ned Yost said the Royals hope to get Vargas three starts before the season ends and 10 to 15 innings heading into spring training.
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"My arm feels good," Vargas said. "It's what I do for a living, so I'm looking forward to getting back out and doing my job."
Vargas went 0-2 with a 5.85 ERA in six rehab starts with three different minor league clubs. In his final three with Triple-A Omaha, Vargas threw 58, 74 and 83 pitches. In his final start Sept. 1 against Round Rock, Vargas allowed two runs on five hits, including a home run, in 5 2/3 innings. He walked none and struck out 10.
"It's been a pretty smooth ride," Vargas said of the rehab not having any setbacks. "I knew if everything went as it should, there would be the possibility I would have the opportunity to pitch this year."
Vargas, 33, won 11 games for the Royals in 2014 and went 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in three postseason starts. He was 5-2 with a 3.98 in nine starts last year before the surgery.
The White Sox counter with right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two September starts after coming off the disabled list with a groin injury. He is 1-4 with a 4.46 ERA in seven starts against the Royals, while walking six and striking out 25.
Jarrod Dyson is 8-for-11 against Gonzalez. Catcher Salvador Perez is 6-for-17 with a home run. Eric Hosmer has only a .176 batting average in 17 at-bats against Gonzalez, but has a home run and five RBIs.
The White Sox trailed 4-2 in the eighth Friday when Chicago third baseman Todd Frazier ducked out of the way of Kelvin Herrera's high and inside pitch. Frazier was upset and Perez stepped in front of him. Frazier eventually doubled in the at-bat, which began a four-run White Sox rally.
"When stuff like that happens, and a guy responds and gets on base, you don't know how much it affects the other side, but on your side you zero in a little bit," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I think it narrows the sights some."
The inning also included Carlos Sanchez's three-run homer, his first home run of the season.
The White Sox are 7-3 in their past 10 games, while the Royals have dropped five in a row to fall out of postseason contention.
