Miguel Vargas is on the Los Angeles Dodgers taxi squad for a day before active rosters expand with the calendar turning to September.
One of the top Dodgers prospects, Vargas was removed from Triple-A Oklahoma City’s game on Tuesday night after just two plate appearances. He walked both times and was replaced by pinch-runner Devin Mann in the second inning.
MLB expanded rosters require teams to split their 28 players evenly amongst position players and pitchers. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently indicated Vargas and Edwin Ríos were under consideration to get recalled from Oklahoma City once rosters expanded.
Vargas was previously added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster in early August, when he joined the team for a road series against the San Francisco Giants. That came on the heels of the Dodgers trading Jake Lamb to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
Vargans went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in his MLB debut on Aug. 3. He was in the Dodgers lineup two nights later, thought went hitless in four at-bats.
The Dodgers optioned Vargas back to Oklahoma City once Justin Turner was reinstated from the 10-day injured list.
In 112 games with OKC, Vargas hit .304/.402/.511 with 17 home runs, 82 RBI, 99 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 112 games. He represented the Dodgers in the 2022 Futures Game at Dodger Stadium, starting at second base and batting fifth.
What role will Miguel Vargas have with Dodgers?
Vargas figures to receive opportunities at third base, left field, designated hitter and pinch-hitter. Playing the outfield has been a new undertaking for the 22-year-old, who earned praise from various members in the organization for successfully navigating the learning curve.
Should Vargas perform well in his opportunities over the final month of the regular season, he conceivable could earn consideration for a spot on the Dodgers’ postseason roster.
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