The San Diego Padres have signed right-handed reliever Cesar Vargas to a major-league contract for the 2016 season.
Vargas, 23, has been in the New York Yankees' system since 2009. In 2015 he posted a 6-0 record with a 3.08 ERA while striking out 9.4 hitters per nine innings in the minors, finishing his season in Triple-A.
Signing Vargas to a major-league deal helps San Diego replenish the back end of its bullpen after trading setup man Joaquin Benoit and closer Craig Kimbrel in the offseason.