GLENDALE, Ariz. — Doubles were a specialty for Miguel Vargas last season. He has carried that over to the spring, with the latest examples coming Sunday against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium.
The Chicago White Sox third baseman hit a ground-rule double to left-center against Royals starter Cole Ragans in the third inning. Facing Alex Lange in the fifth inning, Vargas doubled to left field.
Vargas has a team-leading six doubles during a productive spring.
Photos: Chicago White Sox on photo day at spring training
“Physically and mentally, I feel in a better spot than I was last year,” Vargas told the Tribune last week. “Making little adjustments day by day.
“I know it’s still at spring training, but I want to take it as serious as I can. Be like it’s in the season because it’s not much longer until we leave from here. I want to take every single at-bat like it’s an in-season at-bat and make sure I’m ready for opening day.”
Vargas played in a career-high 138 games last season. He led the Sox with 80 runs, 32 doubles and 56 walks. He finished tied for 14th in the American League in doubles while slashing .234/.316/.401 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs.
Vargas entered Thursday 14-for-44 (.318) with six doubles, one home run, two RBIs, six walks and 11 runs in 15 Cactus League games. Manager Will Venable said the infielder is “kind of quietly having a really nice spring.”
“For me, in his progression, certainly there are things in the clubhouse where he’s one of our leaders and he continues to emerge as a guy, as a vocal leader that guys are looking at,” Venable said last week. “He’s always a guy setting a good example. And then defensively, it’s been about the pre-pitch movement and being on time with that, which he’s done a nice job of.
“I know, talking to (hitting coach Derek Shomon) and (assistant hitting coach) Joel (McKeithan), getting him more consistent at the plate with some of the things he’s trying to do, there’s a lot of clarity around what his objectives are for him personally. Also feel good about that. And really the defense, I’m really looking forward to seeing during the season, but it’s been nice so far in the spring.”
Defense has been Vargas’ priority.
White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas fields a grounder during a spring training workout at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
“One of my biggest things was on my defensive side, that’s something I’ve been working really hard on it,” Vargas said. “I want to help the team, I want to help the pitchers. Everybody is really excited and we’re going to be ready to go.
“It’s everything (defensively), range, be ready, prepare for every single pitch. Be consistent with my pre-pitch. Sometimes it’s hard because sometimes you have those days where you don’t get any ground balls, some days you get one ground ball. But you’ve got to stay locked in and think every pitch is going to go your way. It’s fun, it’s really fun.”
‘Fun’ is how Vargas described the vibe during spring training camp.
“It has been great so far,” Vargas said. “The whole clubhouse, we’re getting closer and closer every week. It’s fun to see the atmosphere in here, it’s fun to be here, it’s fun to enjoy it. We’re all pretty excited.”
It’s all building to the March 26 season opener in Milwaukee.
“We’ve been talking about the first day of the season a lot,” Vargas said. “That’s what the whole point of this camp is, thinking about that goal — the first day of the season. We’re getting ready for that moment. I think we’re in a really good spot.
“We’re all engaged. Everybody is playing good defense, taking good at-bats. Pitchers are making the pitches they have to. That’s a good sign, for sure.”
Roster move
The Sox returned pitcher Alexander Alberto to the Tampa Bay Rays, the team announced Thursday.
The right-hander had a 10.80 ERA over seven appearances, allowing eight earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. He was one of two Rule 5 picks for the Sox in December, along with right-hander Jedixson Páez.
With Thursday’s move, the team’s 40-man roster decreased to 39. The Sox have 40 players remaining in camp: 20 pitchers, four catchers, eight infielders and eight outfielders.
Broadcast news
Ten Sox games will be simulcasted on CHSN and The U (WCIU) this season.
The games are: May 8 vs. Mariners (6:40 p.m.), May 15 vs. Cubs (6:40 p.m.), May 16 vs. Cubs (6:10 p.m.), May 17 vs. Cubs (1:10 p.m.), June 14 vs. Dodgers (1:10 p.m.), June 27 vs. Royals (3:10 p.m.), July 10 vs. Athletics (6:40 p.m.), July 29 vs. Yankees (6:40 p.m.), Aug. 17 at Cubs (7:05 p.m.) and Sept. 4 vs. Twins (6:40 p.m.).