Vargas' team option was declined by the Phillies on Monday.
The Phillies bought Vargas out for $2 million rather than keeping him around for one more year at an $8 million salary. He'll head to free agency ahead of his age-37 season having posted ERAs of 5.77 and 4.51 over the last two years.
Vargas (7-9) was charged with the loss Thursday against the Nationals, surrendering five runs (four earned) on six hits and five walks while striking out three across 4.1 innings.
The southpaw gave up a run in both the first and second inning, then locked things up until a damaging three-run fifth frame that sank the Phillies for good. With the loss, Vargas remains just one win away from 100 career wins, finishing the season 7-9 with a 4.51 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. His 2020 status with the Phillies remains open-ended; the team holds an $8 million option on him.
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Phillies' Jason Vargas: Earns seventh win
Rotowire
Vargas (7-8) allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out eight across 6.2 innings to earn the win Saturday against the Indians.
Vargas allowed two runs in both of the first two innings but settled in from there to turn in a quality start and earn the win. The outing was his longest since joining the Phillies -- a span of 10 appearances -- and marked only the fourth time he pitched six or more frames. He now owns a 4.40 ERA across 145.1 innings for the season. Vargas is projected to take the ball for the final time in the regular season Thursday at Washington.
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Phillies' Jason Vargas: Gives up grand slam in short outing
Rotowire
Vargas (6-8) allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits with one walk and six strikeouts across three innings while taking a loss against the Red Sox on Sunday.
The 36-year-old hasn't pitched into the fourth inning in either of his last two outings. He didn't allow many baserunners in this one, but an error and grand slam led to his undoing. Vargas is 6-8 with a 4.48 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 113 strikeouts in 138.2 innings with the Mets and Phillies this season. He is scheduled to pitch again at the Indians on Friday.
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Phillies' Jason Vargas: Short outing against Braves
Rotowire
Vargas allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out three across three innings Tuesday against the Braves. He did not factor into the decision.
Vargas was staked to an early 4-0 lead but coughed it up in the third inning. In that frame, he allowed the first six batters he faced to reach base, and the damage was limited only by the fact that he didn't surrender any hits for extra-bases. Since joining the Phillies, Vargas has posted a 5.01 ERA and has yet to earn a win across eight starts. He'll look to get on track the next time he takes the mound, but draws a tough matchup Sunday against Boston.
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Phillies' Jason Vargas: Loses shutout in sixth
Rotowire
Vargas allowed two runs on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts across 5.1 innings during a no-decision against the Reds on Thursday.
The veteran shutout the Reds while allowing only two hits through five innings, but after recording the first out of the sixth, Vargas yielded a double and then a two-run homer. With those two poor at-bats, Vargas departed trailing 2-1. The Phillies were able to tie the game to keep him away from a loss, but he still settled for a no-decision in a very solid outing. Vargas is 6-7 with a 4.27 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 132.2 innings with the Mets and Phillies this season. He is scheduled to pitch again at home against the Braves on Tuesday.
Phillies' Jason Vargas: Struggles against former club
Rotowire
Vargas (6-7) allowed five runs on nine hits with three walks and two strikeouts across four innings while taking a loss against the Mets on Saturday.
The left-hander didn't fare very well against his former team, and he's now allowed nine runs in his last 10 innings (8.10 ERA). Vargas has pitched better in other starts, but in six outings since joining the Phillies, Vargas doesn't have any wins. Overall, he owns a 4.31 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 98 strikeouts in 127.1 innings with the Mets and Phillies this season. Vargas will again search for his first win in Philadelphia in Cincinnati on Thursday.
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Phillies' Jason Vargas: Next start coming Saturday
Rotowire
Vargas is scheduled to start Saturday against the Mets, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Vargas was originally scheduled to start Sunday's series finale against New York, but he'll flip places in the rotation with Zach Eflin as the Phillies look to keep the veteran southpaw on regular rest. Since joining Philadelphia, Vargas owns a 4.34 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 15:10 K:BB in 29 innings (five starts).
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Phillies' Jason Vargas: Yields four runs
Rotowire
Vargas allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings Monday, striking out four batters in the win over Pittsburgh. He did not factor in the decision.
Vargas had allowed just one run through six frames before an ugly seventh inning. Colin Moran knocked an RBI double before Jacob Stallings drew a walk, ending Vargas' night. Those two runners would both score on the Phillies' bullpen. The 36-year-old lefty's ERA was lifted to 4.09 alongside his lackluster 96:49 K:BB. He'll face his former team, the Mets, at home Sunday.
Phillies' Jason Vargas: Yields two runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Vargas allowed two runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts across 5.2 innings during a no-decision against the Padres on Sunday.
He finished an out shy of a quality start, but more importantly, Vargas failed to secure a win his fourth straight outing since joining the Phillies. His ERA is right about where it was with the Mets through the first four months, but he is 0-1 in four starts. Overall, Vargas is 6-6 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 92 strikeouts in 117.1 innings this season. He will be on the mound again at the Marlins on Sunday.
Vargas allowed two earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out one across six innings Tuesday against the Cubs. He did not factor into the decision.
Vargas limited damage in the fourth and sixth innings to turn in the quality start -- the second in his three outings as a member of the Phillies. He continues to over-perform his skills, allowing eight earned runs across 17.1 innings since being traded despite a 7:7 K:BB. He'll look to keep his effectiveness going in his next start, currently scheduled for Sunday against San Diego.
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Phillies' Jason Vargas: Saddled with loss
Rotowire
Vargas (6-6) was charged with the loss against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday after surrendering four runs on four hits and three walks with one strikeout over five innings.
Following a solid debut with the Phillies after being traded from the Mets at the deadline, Vargas struggled a bit this time around, though the lack of run support from his offense didn't help. The loss was his first since July 12 against the Marlins, during which he also lasted just five innings while recording one strikeout. The 36-year-old now owns a 4.09 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 87:43 K:BB and will look to bounce back during a Tuesday matchup against the Cubs.
Vargas surrendered two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.1 innings Friday against the White Sox. He didn't factor into the decision.
Vargas gave up a two-run home run in the third inning, but otherwise he came through with a solid performance. The 36-year-old lefty has held the opposition to three or fewer runs in each of his last four outings, and he now owns a 3.93 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 86 punchouts over 100.2 frames on the season.
