Vargas gave up a run on a hit and a walk over two innings while striking out three in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

After Matt Carpenter took him deep for a leadoff homer, the veteran lefty found a groove against a St. Louis lineup that also included Paul Goldschmidt and Jose Martinez. Vargas is coming off a dreadful 2018 marred by a career-worst 1.76 HR/9, so his ability to keep the ball in the park is worth keeping an eye on this spring, but at the moment the Mets seem content to begin the season with him as their fifth starter and hope he can put up numbers closer to his 2017 performance with the Royals (4.16 ERA, 1.33 WHIP over 179.2 innings).

Vargas will be the Mets' fifth starter, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was some thought earlier in the winter that Robert Gsellman or Seth Lugo could fight for a return to the rotation, but manager Mickey Callaway said Wednesday that there is no competition for the spot. Of course, there's no guarantee that Vargas holds the position all year, as the Mets would likely be happy to move on should he repeat the 5.77 ERA he recorded last season.

Vargas (7-9) tossed seven shutout innings and earned the win Thursday, allowing three hits while striking out six in the victory over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Despite an overall rough season, Vargas was pretty solid down the stretch. He allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight starts dating back to Aug. 14, dropping his ERA from 8.75 to 5.77 during that span. This was likely the 35-year-old southpaw's final appearance of 2018, ending the year with an 84:30 K:BB across 92 innings.

Vargas (6-9) picked up the win in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Marlins. He allowed two earned runs, three hits and two walks while striking out seven over six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas did a great job of limiting damage in the victory, as his only blemish of the night was a two-run homer off the bat of Miguel Rojas in the third inning. Despite the impressive outing, it was only the third time in 18 starts this season that Vargas was able to pitch six innings or more. He'll carry a 6.47 ERA into his next start scheduled for Tuesday on the road against the Phillies.

Vargas' scheduled start against the Marlins on Wednesday was postponed, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

The game will be played as a doubleheader Thursday, so Vargas figures to simply push back a day and start one half of the twin bill. The veteran left-hander owns an unsightly 6.75 ERA and 1.60 WHIP with 63 strikeouts through 17 starts (73.1 innings) this season.

Vargas (5-9) got the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out two against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas was spotted a four-run lead heading into the bottom of the third inning, but he allowed a pair of home runs in that frame and ultimately left with his first loss over the last five starts. The southpaw had been better of late, but he still sports an unsightly 6.75 ERA and 1.60 WHIP on the year. He'll next line up for a favorable matchup against the Marlins at home Monday.

Vargas (5-8) picked up the win Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out six across 5.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Staked to a four-run lead in the first inning, Vargas cruised to his third straight victory. The southpaw allowed just one extra-base hit, a double to Willson Contreras in the second inning. Contreras came around to score on an infield single later in the inning, marking the only run charged against Vargas. He's now 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA across six starts in August, lowering his ERA from 8.23 to 6.56 over that stretch. Next up is a road start against the Dodgers.

Vargas (4-8) picked up the win in Friday's 3-0 victory over the Nationals, allowing three hits over six scoreless innings while striking out a season-high eight.

EDGE Analysis

Only one baserunner even got into scoring position against the veteran southpaw, as Vargas put together his best start of a rough 2018. Despite Friday's successful outing, he'll still take a 6.96 ERA into his next start Wednesday on the road against the Cubs.

Vargas (3-8) pitched 5.1 innings and earned the win Sunday, yielding two runs on six hits in the 8-2 win over Philadelphia. He struck out three and allowed a home run.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas earned his first win since May 30 with his solid outing Sunday. He cruised through five scoreless innings before Carlos Santana tagged him with a two-run shot in the sixth. The 35-year-old southpaw lowered his season ERA to 7.67 with a 47:23 K:BB in 58.2 innings. He'll look for his second straight win Friday against Washington.

Vargas (2-7) pitched five innings and took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks in the 4-2 loss to Atlanta. He struck out seven batters.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas was tagged for a run in the first inning from an Ozzie Albies single before allowing three more runs in the third. He lowered his season ERA slightly, now down to a still-ugly 8.23. Vargas hasn't picked up a win since May 30, dropping his last four decisions. He'll have a better matchup against the Reds on Tuesday, but Vargas should still be avoided for fantasy purposes.