Diamondbacks bet on Vargas return for Game 2 swing

Diamondbacks lineup – Facing the risk of falling behind in the series against the Miami Marlins, the Arizona Diamondbacks will send out a lineup for Game 2 that mirrors their Game 1 order—while bringing infielder Ildemaro Vargas back to the starting mix after a June 4 collision and

When the Diamondbacks stumbled to a 10-6 loss in Game 1. the series suddenly felt tighter than the standings suggest—especially with Wednesday’s Game 2 at loanDepot Park in Miami looming. Arizona needs to correct course fast. and it’s doing it with a familiar core. plus one important return at first base.

The Diamondbacks’ lineup for Game 2 is:

2B Ketel Marte
RF Corbin Carroll
C Gabriel Moreno
3B Nolan Arenado
DH Pavin Smith
SS Geraldo Perdomo
1B Ildemaro Vargas
CF Ryan Waldschmidt
LF Tommy Troy

The order is similar to Tuesday night’s lineup. but the key change is Ildemaro Vargas back in the starting lineup. He hasn’t started since June 4. the same day he was removed early after a scary collision with Los Angeles Dodgers 3B Max Muncy. Vargas’ tests after that incident came back clean. and he told he was ready to go the very next day—bruises to numerous areas included. Arizona still gave him time off afterward.

Vargas pinch-hit in all three of Arizona’s games against the Washington Nationals, but never saw more than one plate appearance. In the meantime, the Diamondbacks used first base reps for recently-selected No. 10 prospect LuJames Groover.

Yet even with the lineup return. the biggest concern isn’t just what Vargas might still be feeling—it’s what he hasn’t been producing. After an historically hot start to the 2026 season, the regression that was bound to come has arrived. Vargas is 1-for-14 in June, following a May in which he posted a .541 OPS. The Diamondbacks value him for more than just offense: he’s played good defense at first base and brings positive energy in the clubhouse. Still. Arizona would like that production back—especially in a stretch where they’ve had severe trouble generating runs with runners in scoring position.

On the mound, Arizona will lean on Ryne Nelson in Game 2. Nelson had a bounce-back outing against the Dodgers in his most recent start—the same game from June 4 where Vargas exited early. Nelson threw seven innings of two-run baseball against a potent Dodgers lineup.

It’s an unusual matchup for Nelson, too. He’s only faced the Marlins once in his career, back in the 2023 season, when he threw six innings and allowed one run. In 2026, he’s had his share of turbulence: his ERA has dropped to 4.60 after it rose above 7.00 following a pair of ugly blowouts.

Arizona’s bullpen is already under strain. In Tuesday’s loss, the Diamondbacks needed four relievers, including three of their leverage arms. A longer. steadier start from Nelson would take pressure off the back end and give the offense a chance to settle into the kind of rhythm that Game 1 didn’t allow.

The sequence of decisions—Vargas back after June 4. Nelson tasked with length. and the lineup staying mostly intact—points to one immediate goal: keep the game from slipping away again. For a team trying to avoid losing ground in the series. the swing is happening in both spots where Arizona needs answers most—at the plate with Vargas. and at the center of the pitching plan with Nelson.

Arizona Diamondbacks Miami Marlins Game 2 lineup Ildemaro Vargas Ryne Nelson Ketel Marte Corbin Carroll Gabriel Moreno Nolan Arenado Pavin Smith Geraldo Perdomo Ryan Waldschmidt Tommy Troy Max Muncy loanDepot Park