D-backs reacquire Ildemaro Vargas in trade with Pirates, designate Leyba
Jun 2, 2021, 10:47 AM
Arizona Diamondbacks' Ildemaro Vargas (15) misses the throw, allowing Miami Marlins' Jon Berti to advance to second on a groundout by Austin Dean during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, in Phoenix. First baseman Christian Walker was charged with an error. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded cash considerations to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for infielder Ildemaro Vargas
They also designated infielder Domingo Leyba for assignment on Wednesday. The moves bring Vargas back to the desert, where he began his major league career.
Vargas played with the D-backs from 2017-2020.
Arizona designated Vargas for assignment in August 2020, as he was out of minor league options. They ended up trading him to the Minnesota Twins for cash five days later.
Vargas had thrived during a stuttered spring training leading into last season but went 3-for-20 with a walk and two runs scored in eight appearances before his release.
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“(Vargas is) somebody that has had some big moments here for us. We felt like we had players that could complement us in better ways inside of the system we wanted to see play and give and opportunity to. It was not an emotional decision but it was an emotional reaction,” manager Torey Lovullo said after the Diamondbacks released Vargas.
“He meant a lot to me. He played the game with a passion and an energy that I appreciated,” Lovullo added. “He has a very endearing way with everybody around him. He was a good teammate. That means a lot to me, that means a lot to people in Arizona.”
Vargas played for the Twins and Chicago Cubs in 2020 before landing with the Pirates this year. He went 1-for-13 with an RBI and three strikeouts over seven games with Pittsburgh.
The 25-year-old Leyba has appeared in 13 games with Arizona this season and has no hits, seven strikeouts and two walks in 24 plate appearances.
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