NEW YORK — The Philadelphia Phillies bolstered their beleaguered rotation Monday, acquiring left-hander Jason Vargas from the New York Mets for Double-A catcher Austin Bossart.

Vargas, 36, is 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA, winning his last three starts. He became expendable when the Mets acquired right-hander Marcus Stroman from Toronto on Sunday night for a pair of pitching prospects.

“Jason Vargas is battle-tested and has been relatively effective for the better part of a decade now,” Phillies General Manager Matt Klentak said. “He gives his team a chance to win the game every time he takes the ball. I like the fact it’s a different look. He’s a soft-tossing lefty. We have a lot of hard-throwing righties. He’s a good complement to our pitching staff.”

Vargas is expected to start this weekend against the Chicago White Sox. Zach Eflin, who is scheduled to pitch Friday, has a 10.46 ERA in his last six starts. Vargas could take that spot on regular four days’ rest.

Vargas is owed $2,666,667 of his $8 million salary for the remainder of this season, and his contract includes an $8 million club option for 2020 with a $2 million buyout. He receives a $250,000 assignment bonus.

DAVID ORTIZ, the former Red Sox slugger, said he’s glad to be home with family after after being shot June 9 in his native Dominican Republic.

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Ortiz said on Instagram in his first public comments, “Being at home and look at my family celebrating that lm here safe is priceless.” Ortiz was released from a Boston hospital Friday.

He also thanked fans for their prayers. The post included pictures of a steak, pasta and grilled fish. Ortiz said, “Too bad l can’t crush food yet!!!!”

Ortiz was shot in the back at a Santo Domingo nightclub by a hit man who police said was supposed to target a different man. Ortiz was brought to Boston the next day and needed three operations before being released.

MILWAUKEE ACQUIRED right-hander Jordan Lyles from Pittsburgh for pitching prospect Cody Ponce.

Lyles was 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA in 11 appearances for the Brewers late last season, helping Milwaukee win the NL Central. He agreed to a $2.05 million, one-year contract with the Pirates and earned a rotation spot, going 5-7 with a 5.36 ERA. He won five of his first six decisions with Pittsburgh but has a 9.58 ERA in eight starts since May 28.

NATIONALS: Max Scherzer is back on the 10-day injured list, unwelcome news as the team tries to catch Atlanta in the NL East while pushing for a wild-card berth.

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The Nationals said Scherzer was placed on the IL with a minor rhomboid strain. It’s similar to the inflammation under his right shoulder that forced him to the IL for 19 days earlier this month.

ASTROS: Outfielder Jake Marisnick’s two-game suspension for his violent home plate collision with Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy on July 7 was upheld by Major League Baseball.

Marisnick was suspended July 11 but appealed the decision. The commissioner’s office said a hearing took place July 23 and the penalty was upheld.

LOEK VAN MIL, who pitched parts of six seasons in the Twins’ system and at 7-foot-1 was the tallest player in pro baseball history, died at age 34, more than seven months after suffering multiple head injuries during a hiking accident in Australia.

DODGERS: Los Angeles traded left-hander Zac Rosscup to St. Louis for cash.

The Dodgers also put Enrique Hernandez on the injured list with a sprained left hand.

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MONDAY’S GAMES

MARLINS 11, DIAMONDBACKS 6: Caleb Smith pitched seven innings to help Miami win at home.

Smith laid down a bunt in the second inning and wound up at third thanks to two errors on the play. The jaunt may have taken a toll because in the next inning he gave up three hits, including a three-run homer by Ketel Marte.

REDS 11, PIRATES 6: Jose Iglesias’ grand slam completed Cincinnati’s 10-run second inning at home.

The last-place Pirates lost their ninth straight, their longest skid since they dropped 10 straight in 2011.


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