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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Moving to bullpen
Louie Varland is expected to be used in a traditional relief role down the stretch, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.It had previously seemed as though the Minnesota 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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Disastrous outing as bulk reliever
Louie Varland (0-6) took the loss Wednesday, surrendering eight runs on five hits and a walk over 2.1 relief innings as the Minnesota Twins were downed 9-4 by the Rays. He struck out one.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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Recalled, should work in bulk relief
The Minnesota Twins recalled Louie Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Could start Wednesday for big club
Louie Varland may be a candidate for a promotion from Triple-A St. Paul to fill the opening in the Minnesota Twins rotation Wednesday at Tampa Bay, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Used as reliever
Louie 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.Varland was an impact reliever late last season and into the playoffs for the Minnesota 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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Returns to minors
The Minnesota Twins optioned Louie Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Remains winless
Louie 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.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 surrender just the 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 Minnesota Twins' fifth rotation spot with Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) sidelined, but his 6.14 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 36.2 innings this season do not inspire confidence.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Recalled ahead of start
The Minnesota Twins recalled Louie Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.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 rookie Zebby Matthews also in the mix for that spot.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Likely to start Wednesday
Louie Varland is likely to be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to start Wednesday's game against the Royals, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.Varland was optioned to St. Paul on Saturday, but since he was the 27th man for the Minnesota Twins' doubleheader against the Guardians this past Friday, 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 on the injured list.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Twins' Louie Varland: Goes back to minors
The Minnesota Twins optioned Louie Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday.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.