Louis Varland
YEARTEAMGGSCGSHOWLSIPHitsERSOBBHRERA
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MLB Player Data
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Feb 14 2025Varland is likely to work as a reliever this spring and try to win a spot in the bullpen, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "It's very possible that we see a good amount of him out of the bullpen this year," manager Rocco Baldelli said. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: However, Baldelli did say the move to the bullpen wasn't certain. If he's kept as a starter, he'd likely begin the season in the minors. He struggled last season as a starter in Triple-A with a 4.75 ERA. As a reliever in 2023 in the majors, he showed promise with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings with a 17:1 K:BB ratio. If he makes the major league bullpen, he could be a sleeper due to a fastball that can touch triple digits.
Sep 6 2024Varland is expected to be used in a traditional relief role down the stretch, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: It had previously appeared as though the Twins were considering a quasi six-man rotation with Varland included as a bulk reliever, but he pitched his way out of that conversation in a hurry. Varland gave up eight runs on five hits and a walk over 2.1 innings against the Rays on Wednesday, bringing his ERA to 7.62 through 39 innings with the major-league team this season.
Sep 5 2024Varland (0-6) took the loss Wednesday, surrendering eight runs on five hits and a walk over 2.1 relief innings as the Twins were downed 9-4 by the Rays. He struck out one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After Ronny Henriquez worked a scoreless inning as Minnesota's opener, Varland got the call and sailed through two perfect frames of his own before the wheels came off in the fourth. Some questionable defense contributed to the disaster, including the right-hander's own throwing error on a pickoff attempt, and a two-run homer by Yandy Diaz finally ended Varland's night. The Twins don't get a day off until Sept. 12, so they may continue rolling with a six-man rotation, but there's no guarantee Varland will be the sixth man after this performance left him with a 7.62 ERA and 1.69 WHIP for the season. If he does get another turn, either as a starter or bulk reliever, he lines up to take the mound at home early next week against the Angels.
Sep 4 2024The Twins recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ronny Henriquez will draw the starting assignment for the Twins in Wednesday's game at Tampa Bay, but he's expected to work an inning or two before giving way to Varland, who will likely be deployed in bulk relief, per Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. A decent showing Wednesday could be enough for Varland to stick around with the Twins as part of a six-man rotation. The Twins have just two days off over the final 26 days of the regular season, so the addition of Varland would help provide extra rest for the team's other starters heading into the playoffs.
Sep 2 2024Varland may be a candidate for a promotion from Triple-A St. Paul to fill the opening in the Twins rotation Wednesday at Tampa Bay, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Twins already have a five-man rotation in place, but manager Rocco Baldelli is presumably keen on building in an extra day of rest for the team's starters while Minnesota is in the midst of a stretch of 13 games in 13 days. While Varland should eventually settle into a bullpen role for Minnesota in September, the Twins' decision not to call him up Sunday when the active roster expanded to 28 men suggests he's being ticketed for a start Wednesday. Varland owns a 1.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 39:13 K:BB in 32.2 innings over his last six outings for St. Paul but has largely struggled during his time in the big leagues with a 4.91 ERA across 124.2 career innings.
Aug 15 2024The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Varland put together a quality start in a no-decision Wednesday against the Royals, yielding three earned runs over six innings. He nonetheless finds himself back in the minors, which means Zebby Matthews should remain in the Minnesota rotation indefinitely as the club's No. 5 starter.
Aug 14 2024Varland (0-5) took the loss Wednesday against the Royals, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out three. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Optioned to Triple-A following Friday's start, Varland was recalled Wednesday to make his second start since June 16. The 26-year-old managed to notch his first quality start of the season, but he was fortunate to only surrender three runs. The right-hander allowed baserunners in all six innings he pitched while yielding solo home runs to Bobby Witt and Paul DeJong. Varland will continue to vie for the Twins fifth rotation spot with Joe Ryan and Chris Paddack sidelined, but his 6.14 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 36.2 innings this season does not inspire confidence.
Aug 13 2024Varland is likely to start Wednesday's game against the Royals, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Varland was just optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, but since he was technically the 27th man for the Twins' doubleheader against the Guardians, he is eligible to return this week and was spotted in the clubhouse at Target Field on Tuesday. The right-hander could be needed for multiple more turns in the rotation while Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) are out.
Aug 9 2024Varland didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Guardians in the second game of a doubleheader. He allowed three runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out four. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Varland was cruising early, allowing just three hits while blanking Cleveland through his first four innings. However, things quickly unraveled in the fifth, where the right-hander allowed five hits including a three-run homer to Josh Naylor. The 26-year-old Varland's struggled to a 6.46 ERA in 30.2 innings in the majors this year with a 1.66 WHIP and 29:10 K:BB. However, he fared better in Triple-A, posting a 1.48 ERA in his last six outings with St. Paul. Varland should get an extended look in Minnesota down the stretch with Joe Ryan (shoulder) sidelined indefinitely. He's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Rangers in his next outing.
Aug 7 2024The Twins will recall Varland from Triple-A St. Paul to start one of the games during Friday's doubleheader versus the Guardians, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Bailey Ober will also make a start for Minnesota during the twin bill, and the club has not yet made a decision on the order in which the two arms will appear. Varland holds a 1.19 ERA and 27:9 K:BB over 22.2 innings covering his last four starts at St. Paul.
Jun 18 2024The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Varland served as the Twins' 27th man during Sunday's doubleheader against the Athletics, giving up two runs in 4.1 frames out of the bullpen in the second game. The righty will slide back into the rotation at St. Paul.
Jun 16 2024The Twins recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Varland had previously been optioned to St. Paul on Wednesday, one day after he was summoned from Triple-A to make a spot start against the Rockies. Though he delivered five shutout innings while taking a no-decision against Colorado, he'll be back with the Twins as a long-relief option Sunday, as Minnesota has designated him as its 27th man for its doubleheader with Oakland. Bailey Ober and Chris Paddack will start the first and second games of the twin bill, respectively.
Jun 12 2024The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Varland made a successful spot start Tuesday against the Rockies, spinning five scoreless frames while taking a no-decision in Minnesota's 5-4 loss. The Twins will use his roster spot for a fresh relief arm, with Jay Jackson coming up from Triple-A to join the bullpen.
Jun 11 2024Varland didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against Colorado, allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts across five scoreless innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Varland was part of the Twins rotation to start 2024, but after falling to a 9.18 ERA after four starts, he was sent down to Triple-A. The 26-year-old also struggled in the minors, owning a 5.31 ERA before being called up Tuesday to give Minnesota's starters an extra day of rest. Varland made quick work of the Rockies, needing just 63 pitches to get through five innings. However, he didn't qualify for the win, as the Twins didn't score until seventh inning.
Jun 10 2024Varland will be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to start Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Twins will promote Varland to the big leagues for a spot start as the club aims to give the rotation an extra day of rest, per Gleeman. Diego Castillo is set to be optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Varland has struggled in four starts for Minnesota this season, posting a 9.18 ERA and 2.16 WHIP with an 18:9 K:BB across 16.2 innings.
Apr 22 2024Minnesota optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The move comes one day after Varland turned in another ugly start in which he allowed four runs over just 2.2 innings in a 6-1 loss to the Tigers. Varland offered plenty of potential at the beginning of the season, but it hasn't manifested thus far, as he held a 9.18 ERA in four outings. Simeon Woods Richardson could be called up from Triple-A to take Varland's spot in the rotation later this week.
Apr 21 2024Twins manager Rocco Baldelli would not commit to Varland making another turn in the Minnesota rotation after Sunday's loss, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This isn't a surprise given that Varland gave up four runs in 2.2 innings Sunday and has a 9.18 ERA through four starts. It's likely Varland is sent to Triple-A soon though he could move to the bullpen. However, it's not clear who would move into the Twins rotation with Simeon Woods Richardson the leading candidate.