Struggling Jason Vargas to skip next start in Mets rotation

PHILADELPHIA -- The New York Mets will skip struggling left-hander Jason Vargas' next turn in the rotation on Tuesday.

Manager Mickey Callaway said Friday that Vargas will instead throw a simulated game before the Mets host Toronto. Vargas is 0-3 with a 13.86 ERA since returning from surgery on his right hand.

"You've got to look yourself in the mirror and just understand that the job wasn't getting done," Vargas said after completing a bullpen session before Friday night's game at Philadelphia. "You have the opportunity to work on a few things and get some reps in that you wouldn't normally be able to get in. I understood, totally got it. I need to be able to go out there and help the ball team win and those past three starts haven't been it."

Vargas was an All-Star with Kansas City last season, going 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA in 32 starts. The 35-year-old signed with the Mets in February, and then was hurt when hit by a line drive in his non-throwing hand during spring training.

Vargas allowed four runs and six hits in four innings of a 7-2 loss at Cincinnati on Tuesday. He gave up a combined 15 runs and 20 hits in his first two starts.

"He's just not really throwing through the ball with intent right now," Callaway said. "I think he's guiding it, wondering if he's going to make the right pitch, things like that. So we're going to work on that. He just needs to go out there and have some success and feel himself execute some pitches."

Thanks to two off days in five days, the Mets won't need to bring in another starter. Vargas said he believes he'll miss only one start.

"I don't think we're that far off," he said.