Claudio Vargas Makes Rehab Start For Inland Empire

Dodger righthander Claudio Vargas, on the 60-day disabled list since opening day, made his first rehabilitation start Tuesday night for the Inland Empire 66ers, on the road in Adelanto against the High Desert Mavericks.

Vargas, coming back from battling right elbow tendinitis, was sharp until he hit a rough patch in the fourth inning. He had good command of both his curve and fastball, especially through the first three innings.  impressive in his one inning, striking out one batter and throwing 10 pitches, seven for strikes. One of the pitchers from the 66ers was charting pitches from the stands behind home plate, and he reported Vargas was hitting 90 MPH on the gun.

After giving up one run on two hits in the first three innings, Vargas was hit harder in the fourth.  He allowed two doubles and a single, although to be fair one of the doubles seemed like a flyout off the bat that simply carried in the high elevation of Adelanto.

Vargas's line:  1 IP, 1 strikeout, 10 pitches, 7 strikes

The 66ers lost the game, 7-5

Vargas was relieved by soon-to-be 22-year old Tim Sexton, who came into the game with a team-leading 2.79 in nine appearances.  Sexton gave up a run in two innings five runs in five innings, and took the loss.

Among the other highlights of the game:

• Scott Van Slyke of the 66ers stole home on the back end of a double steal in the sixth inning
• Mariners' #3 ranked prospect Phillippe Aumont came into the game with runners on in the eighth inning, with the Mavericks leading 7-5.  The 20-year old Aumont, an imposing 6'7" righthander, gave up a single to right field to pinch-hitter Alex Garabedian, but Christian Lara was thrown out at the plate by rightfielder Carlos Peguero, who uncorked a nice throw home.  Aumont was regularly hitting 94-97 MPH, and also featured a devastating curve, which he used to strike out two batters in the 9th to help complete the save.

Tonight's Box Score

UPDATE:  I just got word from Dodger VP of Communications Josh Rawitch that Vargas is scheduled to throw again on Friday.  As I get more news I will pass it along.

There are some more pictures after the jump.

Here are Vargas and Sexton, warming up before the game:

Here is Claudio Vargas on the mound in the first inning...

Here is Vargas and his follow through...

This is centerfielder Trayvon Robinson up to bat...

and here is Trayvon leading off first base...

This is 3B Pedro Baez, the Dodgers' #13-ranked prospect by Baseball America...

This is Preston Mattingly, fouling off a pitch in the first inning...

Here is 1B Steven Caseres batting in the 6th inning...