Ildemaro Vargas
Breakdown
Performance
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September 12, 2026
Gaining foothold at 1B
Vargas started at first base and went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 9-1 win over the Rangers.
Analysis
Vargas ignited a dormant offense in the fifth inning when the Diamondbacks scored four times. His ground-rule double produced the first of those four runs, and then Arizona went on to score another five times the following inning. It was his fifth consecutive start, four of which came at first base, as he and Tim Tawa share the position. Vargas is 6-for-20 (.300) over his five-start run.
September 7, 2026
Starts after sitting previous two games
Vargas started at first base in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Astros and went 1-for-4 at the plate.
Analysis
After starting in all but one of the Diamondbacks' 19 games from Aug. 14 through Wednesday, Vargas wasn't included in the lineup for either of the club's first two games in Houston before he entered the starting nine Sunday. He ended up shifting from first base to shortstop when Geraldo Perdomo was removed from the contest after being struck by a line drive off his helmet in the third inning. Vargas' playing time has dried up now that Ketel Marte -- who had been serving as the designated hitter upon his activation off the injured list -- has reclaimed his primary job as the starting second baseman. However, if Perdomo misses further time, Vargas could see his opportunities pick back up.
September 6, 2026
Fades back into bench role
Vargas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.
Analysis
Vargas will remain on the bench for a third game in a row and looks to have lost hold of an everyday role following Ketel Marte's recent return from the injured list. He had made 18 starts in a stretch of 19 games from Aug. 14 through Wednesday but slashed just .176/.184/.297 during that stretch.
