Louie Varland - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Moving to bullpen Varland is expected to be used in a traditional relief role down the stretch, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Disastrous outing as bulk reliever Varland (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.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Minnesota Twins officially recall Louie Varland, option Castillo Varland is expected to pitch in a bulk role for the Twins on Wednesday after an opener.

SEPTEMBER 4 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Recalled, should work in bulk relief The Twins recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Louie Varland expected to rejoin Twins during Rays series as a starter … for now Righthander Louie Varland is expected to remain with the Twins during the final month of the season.

SEPTEMBER 4 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Michael Helman set for MLB debut Tuesday, Louie Varland starting on Wednesday? Varland appears set to start for the Twins on Wednesday against the Rays.

SEPTEMBER 3 • SI.COM

Could start Wednesday for big club Varland 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.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Used as reliever Varland threw five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in a relief appearance Wednesday for Triple-A St. Paul. It was his first relief appearance in the minors this season.

Impact Varland was an impact reliever late last season and into the playoffs for the Twins, but was moved back to the rotation this year. The Twins have said they're contemplating moving him to the bullpen for similar usage this season, so this outing could be the first step to using him in the majors as a reliever.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to minors The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

Impact Varland put together a quality start 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 Twins' rotation indefinitely.

AUGUST 15 • ROTOWIRE

Remains winless Varland (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.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled ahead of start The Twins recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Impact Varland will draw the start Wednesday against the Royals. The right-hander started strong but faded late in an outing versus the Guardians this past weekend, ultimately finishing with three earned runs allowed over 4.2 innings. With Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) sidelined, Varland will have a shot to hold down the No. 5 spot in the rotation for the Twins, with Zebby Matthews also in the mix there.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Twins receive good news on Byron Buxton; Louie Varland expected to start vs. Royals Twins center fielder had an MRI that came back clean, the team announced.

AUGUST 14 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Likely to start Wednesday Varland is likely to start Wednesday's game against the Royals, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Goes back to minors The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.

Impact Varland was sent back to St. Paul after he served as the 27th man for the Twins' doubleheader Saturday versus the Guardians. He started and took a no-decision in the Twins' 6-3 win in the second game of the twin bill, striking out four over 4.2 innings while allowing three earned runs on eight hits and no walks. Though he's now off the 26-man active roster, Varland will be eligible to be recalled during the upcoming week and could be a candidate to make a start Wednesday versus the Royals or Thursday versus the Rangers. Minnesota has a need for a new fifth starter with Joe Ryan (shoulder) recently joining Chris Paddack (forearm) on the injured list.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Stumbles late in no-decision Varland 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.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A The Twins recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Varland will officially serve as the 27th man during Friday's doubleheader versus the Guardians and is slated to start the second game. While Varland is likely to be sent back down after the outing, he'll likely be needed again soon with Joe Ryan (shoulder) landing on the injured list and expected to miss considerable time. Varland holds a 6.58 ERA over 26 frames with the Twins this season but has pitched well of late at St. Paul with a 1.19 ERA and 27:9 K:BB over 22.2 innings.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Friday during doubleheader The 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.

Impact Bailey Ober will also make a start for Minnesota during the twin bill and the club has not yet made a decision on what order the pitchers will appear in. Varland holds a 1.19 ERA and 27:9 K:BB over 22.2 innings covering his last four starts at St. Paul.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Twins recalling Louie Varland to make Tuesday's start vs. Rockies The righthander from North St. Paul is back after losing his first four starts in the big leagues this season; Diego Castillo returned to th...

JUNE 11 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins' Louie Varland, after demotion, sees success with different pitch North St. Paul native Louie Varland was told to use his changeup more, and it has been effective during his stint with the Saints.

MAY 18 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins send struggling Varland to Triple-A and bring Kepler back from the injured list

The Minnesota Twins have sent struggling starting pitcher Louie Varland to Triple-A St. Paul and reinstated right fielder Max Kepler from the 10-day injured list

APRIL 22 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins takeaways: Louie Varland's spot at risk; Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa updates Plus, the latest on the return timelines for Max Kepler and Jhoan Duran, and another Twins pitcher lost to elbow surgery.

APRIL 22 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Two-strike contact troubles Varland in start vs. O's BALTIMORE -- Louie Varland collapsed to a half-crouch as his head whipped around and watched the ball spring off Cedric Mullins’ bat -- and...

APRIL 16 • MLB.COM

Louie Varland's struggles continue as Twins lose 7-4 to Orioles Twins starting pitcher Louie Varland is now 0-3 with a 8.36 ERA to start the season after the Orioles hammered him for 11 hits over five inn...

APRIL 16 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Struggles against Dodgers Varland (0-2) picked up the loss after he tossed five innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six in Tuesday's 6-3 defeat to the Dodgers.

Impact After three scoreless frames to open the game, Varland was done in by the long-ball Tuesday, giving up a three-run homer to James Outman in the top of the fourth inning before Will Smith launched another three-run shot the following frame. The right-hander now owns an inflated 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over nine innings in his first two starts of the 2024 campaign. Varland is tentatively set to return to the mound Sunday for a road matchup with the Tigers.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Baldelli trusts Varland after tough start vs. Brewers MILWAUKEE -- Louie Varland was stellar for the Twins after being moved to the bullpen in early September last season, including two scoreles...

APRIL 3 • MLB.COM

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Twins send struggling Varland to Triple-A and bring Kepler back from the injured list