Injuries mounting up for Diamondbacks as Ildemaro Vargas heads to IL

Ildemaro Vargas went down awkwardly after getting plunked by a pitch in the series against the Chicago White Sox. Postgame evaluations confirmed the worst which as a fractured bone near the ankle. Arizona getting the news that Vargas will be sidelined is just another hit for this ball club. While Vargas isn’t an everyday starter, his versatility was slowly becoming a key asset for Arizona this season. The 33-year-old offers the kind of flexibility that allows manager Torey Lovullo to navigate injuries and rest days more effectively.

In limited action this year, Ildemaro Vargas was hitting .286 with a home run and four RBIs. He hasn’t been hitting eye-popping numbers, but has had more of a consistent role with key contributions from a bench spot. His presence in the clubhouse as a steady veteran has also been noted by younger teammates. With Vargas out, the Diamondbacks have recalled Blaze Alexander from Triple-A Reno in an according move. The 25-year-old infielder brings a solid glove and a little pop, but he’ll have big shoes to fill in terms of reliability and experience.

This injury adds to a growing list of sidelined D-backs, testing the depth of a team still fighting to make up ground in the National League Wild Card race. No official timeline has been given for Vargas’s return, though early estimates suggest he could miss several weeks.