Vargas signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent on May 30, 2009. He made his professional debut with the DSL Yankees, recording a 3.50 ERA in 16 appearances. He spent 2010 and 2011 with the DSL Yankees, pitching to a 2.06 ERA in 2010 and a 2.39 ERA in 2011. In 2012, Vargas split the season between the rookie ball GCL Yankees and the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs, registering a 3-2 record and 3.13 ERA in 13 games. He split the next season between the High-A Tampa Yankees and Charleston, pitching to a 4-8 record and 4.10 ERA between the two clubs. Vargas split the 2014 season between Tampa and Charleston, posting a 4-2 record and 2.58 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 44 appearances. He split the 2015 season between the Double-A Trenton Thunder and the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, recording a 6-0 record and 3.08 ERA between the two teams.[1] On November 6, 2015, he elected free agency.
San Diego Padres
On November 20, 2015, Vargas signed a major league contract with the San Diego Padres.[2] On April 23, he was called up to the major leagues to start in place of the injured Robbie Erlin, making his MLB debut.[3] After making six starts for the Padres, Vargas went on the disabled list with a sore elbow.[4]
Vargas was designated for assignment by the Padres on March 31, 2017.[5] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Double–A San Antonio Missions on April 5.[6] After splitting the season between San Antonio and the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, he elected free agency on November 6.[7]
Washington Nationals
On December 18, 2017, Vargas signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals organization.[8] He was assigned to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs for the 2018 season. Vargas split the season between Syracuse and the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, pitching to a 2-8 record and 5.14 ERA in 22 games. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.[9]
Sultanes de Monterrey
On April 3, 2019, Vargas signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. He pitched to a 4.34 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 114.0 innings pitched in 2019. Vargas did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]
Ibaraki Astroplanets
On December 16, 2020, Vargas signed with the Ibaraki Astroplanets of the Japanese independent Baseball Challenge League.[11]
Sultanes de Monterrey (second stint)
On July 5, 2021, it was announced that Vargas had left the Astroplanets and re-signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.[12] In 2 starts 10 innings he went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA with 10 strikeouts.
Orix Buffaloes
On August 21, 2021, Vargas signed with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for $100,000 USD plus incentives.[13] He re-signed for the 2022 season, posting a record of 0–1 with 6.59 ERA in 8 relief appearances. Vargas was not retained following the season and became a free agent.
Sultanes de Monterrey (third stint)
On February 10, 2023, Vargas signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.[14] In 10 games (6 starts) for Monterrey, he logged a 2–0 record and 3.69 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 31+2⁄3 innings pitched. Vargas did not appear in a game in the 2024 season.