LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers minor-league pitcher Claudio Vargas opted out of his contract and was granted his release from Triple-A Albuquerque, the Isotopes said today.
Vargas, who had a 5.89 ERA in 47 1/3 innings with Albuquerque this year, had returned to the Dodger organization in June after being released by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers traded Vargas to Milwaukee at the 2009 trading deadline for minor-league catcher Vinny Rottino.
The 32-year-old Vargas has a career 4.83 ERA in 764 2/3 major-league innings.
Jon Weisman is author of the Dodger Thoughts blog on ESPNLosAngeles.com.