FLUSHING, N.Y. -- The New York Mets today announced that the club has signed All-Star LHP Jason Vargas to a two-year contract with a club option for 2020.
Vargas, 35, was tied for the American League in wins (18) and was named to his first All-Star team last year with Kansas City. He went 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA (83 earned runs/179.2 innings) in 32 starts with the Royals. His 32 starts last season was tied for the most in the majors by a left-hander.
He won seven straight starts from May 27-June 30 in 2017 and finished the month of June, 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA (nine earned runs/41.0 innings).
Vargas averaged 190.0 innings per season from 2010-2014. During that period, he was one of only 11 lefties to toss 925.0 or more innings. He also has five seasons of 30 or more starts since 2010. Vargas underwent Tommy John surgery in July, 2015. He made three starts logging 12.0 innings in 2016.
Vargas was acquired by the Mets on November 20, 2006 in a trade with the Marlins. The 6-0, 215-pounder went 0-1 over two starts with New York in 2007. He was traded to Seattle as part of a three-team, 12-player trade on December 11, 2008.
He has won double-digit games four times in his career.
Vargas is 85-81 with a 4.17 ERA (650 earned runs/1,401.1 innings) over 248 major league games, 228 starts with the Marlins, Mets, Mariners, Angels and Royals.
In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Mets placed infielder T.J. Rivera on the 60-Day Disabled List.