Mike Moustakas strolled through the Royals’ locker room prior to their matchup with the White Sox Saturday night, and announced a “national holiday.”
“It’s Jason Vargas Launch Day!” he called out. “You’re all witnesses.”
It may not have been a national holiday, but it was, indeed, the relaunch of Vargas’ career.
After last season’s Tommy John surgery put a yearlong dent in his career, the left-handed pitcher made his first major-league start in 423 days on Saturday. Against Chicago the Chicago White Sox (72-76), he threw the first three innings, allowing two hits and one run, walking one and striking out one, on the way to Kansas City’s 3-2 win, a victory that ended a five-game losing streak.