The Seattle Mariners placed right-handed reliever Carlos Vargas on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right lat strain and recalled right-hander Cole Wilcox from Triple-A Tacoma.
Vargas was named to Seattle’s Opening Day roster but was not available for the first games of the season, a 6-4 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. The Guardians scored three runs over the final three innings against the Mariners bullpen.
Vargas, 26, had a 6.48 ERA over nine spring training appearances. He made his Seattle debut last season and was 5-5 with a 3.97 ERA and one save over 70 relief appearances.
Wilcox, 26, was acquired for cash from the Tampa Bay Rays in November. He had a 4.32 ERA in eight relief appearances during spring training and made his only major league appearance with the Rays last season, allowing seven runs (three earned) over one inning.
