Vargas (calf) has been confirmed as the starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas missed more than a month with his calf injury, but he is ready to get back up on the bump for the big club Friday night. He will be tested in his first start back, facing off against a Pirates club that owns a .940 team OPS since the All-Star break.

Vargas (calf) will return to action Friday against the Pirates, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas was originally expected to start during the mid-week series against the Padres, but Corey Oswalt was called up to start Wednesday. The veteran's long-term status as a rotation member could be in jeopardy once Noah Syndergaard returns from his illness, but he'll at least get the opportunity to make one more start.

Vargas (calf) will not take the mound against San Diego as previously scheduled, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since manager Mickey Callaway deemed Vargas healthy during the All-Star break, it appears as though his placement in the Mets rotation is in jeopardy. The Mets elected to call up Corey Oswalt from Triple-A Las Vegas after sending Noah Syndergaard (illness) to the DL on Monday, setting up a rotation of Jacob deGrom, Zack Wheeler and Oswalt for the three-game set versus the Padres. It remains to be seen whether Vargas has lost his spot in the rotation, or if Callaway is just pushing him back a couple days in order to line up Oswalt in Syndergaard's spot, since the latter will be eligible to return against Washington next Tuesday. Either way, Vargas will likely be called up to start in Pittsburgh later this week.

Vargas (calf) will return to action to start Tuesday against the Padres, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was no guarantee that Vargas would return to the rotation once healthy, with Corey Oswalt possibly keeping the job. Oswalt hardly made a firm claim on the role, posting a 6.11 ERA, though he did outperform Vargas, who had an even worse 8.60 ERA. It appears that the veteran lefty will be given the opportunity to pitch his way through his struggles in hopes that he'll be a competent rotation member going forward.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway wouldn't commit Sunday to Vargas being included in the rotation when the team reconvenes after the All-Star break, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. "I think we need to evaluate where everybody's at over the All-Star break," Callaway said. "We've just got to figure out what's going to be best for our team. It's good to know we have options with Vargas now being healthy. So we're going to sit down over the break, try to figure out exactly what is best for our team moving forward in the second half."

EDGE Analysis

The Mets will open the second half with Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Jacob deGrom as their starters for the weekend series with the Yankees, with Zack Wheeler likely to pitch the club's fourth game July 23 against the Padres. It appears the final rotation spot will come to either Vargas or Corey Oswalt, who has turned in a 6.11 ERA and 1.13 WHIP over his four-start run with the Mets. While Oswalt's numbers are far from sterling, Vargas was struggling to an even greater extent prior to being sidelined by the calf strain, submitting an 8.60 ERA and giving up 11 home runs over 37.2 innings. The Mets may want Vargas to prove himself in long relief before giving him another spin in the rotation.

Vargas (calf) will make a second rehabilitation start for short-season Brooklyn on Saturday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas will not return from the 10-day DL before the All-Star break, though he should be back in the Mets' rotation as the second half of the season gets underway. During his first rehab outing with Brooklyn on Monday, Vargas allowed just one hit while striking out nine across six scoreless frames. Look for an update on his status following Saturday's game.

Vargas (calf) covered six scoreless innings and struck out nine Monday in his rehab start for short-season Brooklyn. He allowed no hits and one walk in the 64-pitch outing.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas was facing a lineup consisting mostly of hitters in their first professional season, so there's not much to takeaway from the stellar results. More important was the fact that Vargas seemingly escaped the rehab outing with no setbacks with his strained right calf and handled a healthy innings count, potentially putting him on track to make his next start in the majors. At least one of Vargas or Noah Syndergaard (lat), who made a rehab start Sunday for Brooklyn, seems likely to return to the New York rotation over the weekend, but there would be room for both if the Mets choose to move struggling No. 5 starter Corey Oswalt to the bullpen or option him to the minors.

Vargas (calf) will make a rehab start Monday at short-season Brooklyn, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas has already built up his pitch count through a pair of simulated games, but the rehab assignment will represent the first chance to test out the health of his right calf in an uncontrolled setting. If Vargas demonstrates that he can defend his position adequately and cover bases as needed during the rehab start, he could be ready to return from the 10-day disabled list at some point next weekend. It's more likely, however, that the Mets take advantage of the All-Star break in order to afford Vargas more recovery time.

Vargas (calf) is scheduled to pitch in a simulated game Sunday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas and Noah Syndergaard (finger) both completed simulated games Tuesday, but only the latter was cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment for his next outing. That's likely because Vargas' right calf injury still limits his mobility and presents complications in the field, something that could be more exposed in an uncontrolled setting. The simulated game will allow Vargas to build up his arm without putting any extra strain on the calf, but he'll still need to do baserunning and sprinting without pain before the Mets sign off on his return from the disabled list. If he fails to make much progress on that front in the next few days, a return prior to the All-Star break would become more unlikely.

Vargas (calf) threw a four-inning, 65-pitch simulated game Tuesday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vargas is expected to journey to the minor leagues for a rehab outing this weekend as long as he doesn't experience any lingering effects over the next few days. He also requires clearance to resume sprinting as there's some concern over whether he's able to field his position due to the calf strain. Look for an update on his status later this week.