Dodgers Bringing Up Prospect Miguel Vargas From Triple-A

The Dodgers were known to be receiving one outfielder from Triple-A Oklahoma City this weekend. Veteran outfielder Jason Heyward’s minor league rehabilitation assignment is over, manager Dave Roberts said Friday.

Now, it appears they’ll be getting two reinforcements from the minor leagues.

As first reported from Francys Romero on Twitter/X, outfielder Miguel Vargas is being called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City:

Internally, Dodgers evaluators have been impressed with Vargas’ more consistent approach and better sense of self at the plate this year. Vargas is hitting .295 with eight home runs and a team-leading 38 RBIs for the Dodgers’ top farm team.

Oklahoma City is in the midst of a six-game series in Sacramento.

Vargas was named the Dodgers’ opening day second baseman to begin last season, but struggled out of the gate. He held a .213/.354/.338 slash line at the end of April. By the end of June, those numbers were (mostly) down to .199/.302/.378.

The Dodgers demoted Vargas to Triple-A on July 9. He played out the rest of the 2023 season at Triple-A as the Dodgers opted to acquire a couple veteran infielders, Kiké Hernandez and Amed Rosario, to plug the hole at second base instead.

With Gavin Lux returning from a knee injury this season, and Mookie Betts moving out of right field to bolster an area of weakness at shortstop, the Dodgers didn’t need Vargas to play second base in 2024. He moved to left field and took to the position quickly. Meanwhile, his offense perked up.

The news will come as little surprise to astute fans who have been tracking Vargas’ progress at Triple-A this season. It might come as a shock to a couple struggling Dodgers outfielders who might be on their way off the active roster before long.

Center fielder James Outman, who can be optioned to the minors, is slashing .147/.250/.266. Heyward, like Outman, bats left-handed, which could make their roster spots redundant.

Left fielder Chris Taylor, who can’t be optioned to the minors, is slashing .083/.211/.083. Taylor, 33, is owed $13 million this year and next as he plays out a four-year, $60 million contract extension.

Photo Credit: Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

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