Whirlwind First Day for Vargas
by Joe Frisaro, MLB.com
July 15, 2005 PHILADELPHIA -- Upon getting word Wednesday that he was being called up to the Major Leagues, Jason Vargas called his college teammate, Jered Weaver.
Both star pitchers on the 2004 Long Beach State squad, Vargas is set to make his Major League debut when he starts for the Marlins on Monday against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.
Weaver, selected in the first round of 2004 First-Year Player Draft by the Angels, held out a season but eventually signed with Los Angeles. Vargas, selected in the second round of the same draft, now has made an improbable leap.
The left-handed Vargas wasn't with the Marlins in Spring Training. Instead, he was in Minor League camp, and opened the season in low Class A Greensboro. He progressed from there to Class A Jupiter and then to Double-A Carolina.
The Marlins selected Vargas' contract on Thursday when they designated veteran Al Leiter for assignment.
For now, Vargas is filling the rotation spot vacated by Leiter. The Marlins have 10 days to either trade or release the 39-year-old.
"It's an honor, he's been around a long time," Vargas said of taking a roster spot previously held by Leiter. "Hopefully, I will not let him down or the Marlins down."
Vargas was 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA for Carolina, striking out 25 in 19 innings.
He caught wind that he was headed to the Major Leagues while he was in a mall in Raleigh, N.C.
"It's been crazy," Vargas said. "It's been a wild year. Nothing I expected. I never expected this. It's uncommon to make this many moves, this many jumps in a year. The Marlins told me it could happen. They believed in me. I went out and showed them what I can do and I made it up here."
Shortly after he realized he was being promoted, Vargas spoke with Weaver.
The Marlins left-hander says it shouldn't be long before Weaver is pitching in the big leagues.
"Probably the only reason he hasn't made his debut is because he just signed," Vargas.
"He's very talented. It's only a matter of time before he shows what he can do."
General manager Larry Beinfest says the Marlins have some options for starters until Josh Beckett comes off the disabled list.
Ismael Valdez tossed six scoreless innings in a rehab start at Jupiter on Wednesday. Valdez will make another rehab start on Monday.
"Jason has been outstanding this year," Beinfest said. "He was promoted to Double-A about a month ago. He's been great. ... He's done nothing to disappoint us. He's been outstanding."
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