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 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.
Twins' Louie Varland: Disastrous outing as bulk reliever
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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.
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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Twins' Louie Varland: Recalled, should work in bulk relief
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The Twins recalled 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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Twins' Louie Varland: Could start Wednesday for big club
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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.
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.
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 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.
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 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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Twins' Louie Varland: Returns to minors
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The Twins optioned 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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Twins' Louie Varland: Recalled ahead of start
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The Twins recalled 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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Twins' Louie Varland: Likely to start Wednesday
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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 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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Twins' Louie Varland: Goes back to minors
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The Twins optioned 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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Stumbles late in no-decision
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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 while striking out four.
Varland was cruising early, allowing just three hits while blanking Cleveland through his first four innings. However, things quickly unraveled in the fifth, as the right-hander allowed five hits including a three-run homer to Josh Naylor. The 26-year-old has 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 could get an extended look in Minnesota's rotation 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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Recalled from Triple-A
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The Twins recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
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, the Twins will need rotation help soon with Joe Ryan (shoulder) landing on the injured list Friday 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.
Twins' Louie Varland: Starting Friday during doubleheader
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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.
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.
