The New York Mets may have to begin the season without Jason Vargas in their rotation, as the newly signed left-hander has been diagnosed with a non-displaced hamate bone fracture in his non-throwing hand, according to multiple reports.
Vargas, who took a line drive off his hand in a minor-league game Friday, will see a hand specialist Sunday afternoon. It's not yet clear whether he'll start the campaign on the disabled list.
The Mets announced later on Sunday that Vargas would undergo surgery on Tuesday to remove the fractured bone. He's slated to return to his throwing program approximately five days after the surgery.
Before injuring his hand, Vargas - who signed a two-year, $16-million deal with the Mets in February - had managed a 4.15 ERA with a 1.73 WHIP in three Grapefruit League appearances, notching nine strikeouts while allowing two home runs across 8 2/3 spring innings.
Vargas, an All-Star for the first time in his 12-year career last season, was slated to open the campaign as the Mets' fifth starter, behind Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Steven Matz. If he's not ready to go when the season starts, right-hander Zack Wheeler will likely take his spot in the rotation.
