Louis Varland Injury News & Updates

Varland was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.

Varland made 10 starts earlier this season with the Twins, but he was recently moved to the bullpen at St. Paul and that's the role he'll fill now with the big club. The righty has the ability to go multiple innings, if needed, but his stuff has ticked up in relief so it wouldn't be a surprise if he eventually earns high-leverage appearances.

Varland is expected to be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul prior to Monday's game against the Guardians, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Varland was recently moved to the bullpen at St. Paul, allowing one run with four strikeouts over four innings in his lone relief appearance. The Twins will use him out of the bullpen down the stretch, perhaps in a multi-inning role.

Varland has moved to the bullpen at Triple-A St. Paul as the Twins may consider him for a relief role in the majors in September, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

He gave up one run over four innings in working out of the bullpen Thursday. It sounds like he'd be used as a long reliever if called up in September.

Minnesota optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday.

Varland was lit up for six earned runs over 4.1 innings in his last turn through the Twins' rotation Sunday versus the Tigers. The 25-year-old right-hander stands 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB in 56 major-league innings (10 starts) this season.

Varland (3-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks over 4.1 innings against the Tigers. He struck out four.

Most of the damage came in the fifth, as the Tigers put up five runs in the frame including back-to-back homers by Spencer Torkelson and Kerry Carpenter. Varland has struggled in the month of June, allowing 17 runs over 15 innings (three starts) while also serving up five home runs. Though he is expected to be bumped from the rotation when Kenta Maeda (triceps) is removed from the 15-day injured list, Varland will likely have at least one more go-around as a starter and is tentatively lined up for a rematch with the Tigers next week.

Varland did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings in a 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out six.

Varland surrendered another home run Sunday and has now given up 12 over his first nine starts. This is certainly a concerning trend for the 25-year-old, but he figures to remain in the rotation with Kenta Maeda (triceps), Tyler Mahle (elbow) and Chris Paddack (elbow) on the injured list. Varland boasts a less-than-ideal 4.70 ERA, but he has been able to chew up innings, completing at least 4.2 in each of his nine starts and six or more six times.

Varland (3-2) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks over six innings against the Rays. He struck out five.

Varland held the Rays off the board for three innings before surrendering three in the fourth. He'd allow four more runs over his final three-plus innings en route to his second loss. The 25-year-old Varland had logged quality starts in five of his first seven outings. His ERA is now up to 4.40 with a 1.21 WHIP and 44:12 K:BB through eight starts (47 innings) this season. Varland will look to bounce back in his next start, currently scheduled for next week in Toronto.

Varland (3-1) earned the win over Houston on Wednesday, tossing seven scoreless innings during which he allowed four hits and one walk while striking out five batters.

Varland suffered his first loss of the campaign against Toronto in his previous start, but he got back in the win column with a sterling effort Wednesday. The right-hander tossed a season-high seven innings and held the Astros scoreless, notching his fifth quality start through seven appearances. None of the four hits Varland allowed went for extra bases, and he continued to demonstrate good control -- he's surrendered one of fewer free passes in each of his past four starts. Varland originally slid into the rotation as a result of an injury to Tyler Mahle (elbow). Mahle won't return to action this season, but it's unclear if Varland will keep his spot in the rotation when Kenta Maeda (triceps) makes it back to the majors, potentially within the next two weeks.

Varland (2-1) took the loss Friday, allowing three runs on seven hits over six innings against Toronto. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.

Varland has not gotten off to a particularly strong start in his first big-league season. While this past outing wasn't bad, the 25-year-old has now given up multiple runs in all but one start this year. There are better options to roll with until this young right-hander develops more consistency.

Varland (2-0) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk with four strikeouts over five-plus innings to earn the win Saturday over the Angels.

Varland threw 60 of 92 pitches for strikes en route to his second straight win. He allowed three straight runners to reach in the sixth inning, including a Shohei Ohtani solo home run, before Jovani Moran was called on to work out of the jam. Varland has been solid through five starts this season, posting a 4.18 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB through 28 innings. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Blue Jays next week.

Varland (1-0) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven over 6.1 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Cubs.

Varland faded a bit in the seventh inning, but it was another positive outing for the right-hander. He had no trouble earning his first win in four appearances this year as the Twins' offense racked up 16 runs in the contest. Through 23 innings, Varland has a 4.30 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 27:6 K:BB. With Tyler Mahle (elbow) done for the year and Kenta Maeda (triceps) not particularly close to a return, Varland should remain in the rotation for a road start versus the Angels.

Varland did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over six innings against the Padres. He struck out six.

Varland made his second consecutive start Tuesday, taking advantage of Tyler Mahle's (elbow) and Kenta Maeda's (triceps) injuries by turning in his best outing of the season. After giving up four home runs across his first two starts of 2023, Varland allowed just one extra-base hit while keeping the ball in the park against San Diego. Though it's unclear how long Varland will remain in the rotation, he is expected to take the mound at least once more and should be an intriguing streaming option considering he has racked up at least six strikeouts in each of his three starts this season.

Varland is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Padres at Target Field.

In his second start of the season with the big club last Wednesday and his first since April 14, Varland took a no-decision after surrendering four earned runs on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the White Sox. Though Varland couldn't come through with a quality start, he managed to induce 15 swinging strikes among his 87 pitches, which bodes well for his outlook moving forward. Varland carries some risk as a relatively unestablished MLB arm, but with two starts likely on tap this week -- his second is expected to come Sunday at home versus the Cubs -- he could make for an appealing lineup option for managers who are chasing strikeout upside.

Varland pitched 4.2 innings against the White Sox on Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out six batters. He did not factor in the decision.

Luis Robert tagged Varland with a three-run homer in the first inning, but Minnesota came back with four runs between the third and fourth frames to hand the righty hurler a lead. However, Varland gave up a run on three singles and a walk in the bottom of the fourth, and he was pulled after 89 pitches with two outs in the fifth. The 25-year-old's final line wasn't great, but he did show some good swing-and-miss stuff, racking up 15 whiffs and six strikeouts. With Tyler Mahle (elbow) and Kenta Maeda (triceps) both on the 15-day injured list and expected to miss more than the minimum, Varland will likely stick in the rotation for several more starts.

Minnesota recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Varland is being brought up to make a start against the White Sox on Wednesday. The right-hander is sliding into the rotation spot that is being vacated by Tyler Mahle with Mahle heading to the 15-day injured list due to a flexor pronator strain in a corresponding transaction. Varland registered a 4.20 ERA and 25:4 K:BB over 15 innings with St. Paul prior to the promotion, and he's worth consideration for those looking for a streaming option for Wednesday's action.

Varland will start for the Twins on Wednesday versus the White Sox, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

He's sliding into the spot vacated by Tyler Mahle (elbow) and should get multiple starts with Mahle slated to miss more than a month of action. Varland holds a 4.20 ERA and 25:4 K:BB across 15 frames with Triple-A St. Paul this season and pitched well in a spot start earlier this season. He's not a bad deep-league stream against a struggling White Sox club.

Varland is tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday for Triple-A St. Paul, but he could instead be called up from the minors that day to start for the Twins in Chicago against the White Sox, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

With Kenta Maeda (triceps) landing on the injured list Saturday and Tyler Mahle (elbow) likely to be deactivated no later than Tuesday, the Twins have two openings in their five-man rotation. Bailey Ober was already summoned from Triple-A to fill in for Maeda this past Saturday, and Varland looks like the next man up to replace Mahle. As Park notes, Varland's pitching schedule is synchronized with Mahle, so the Twins wouldn't have to alter their rotation order to swap Varland in. The 25-year-old right-hander previously impressed in his lone spot start with the big club April 14 against the Yankees (eight strikeouts, three earned runs allowed in six innings), and he's continued to perform well at St. Paul, with whom he's logged a 4.20 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB across 15 frames on the season.

Minnesota optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Varland pitched well in his start against the Yankees on Friday by allowing three runs over six innings. The right-hander is sent down to the minors to make room for Brent Headrick after Headrick received a call-up from the Saints in a corresponding transaction.

Varland gave up three earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight in six innings Friday against the Yankees.

He did not factor in the decision, but Varland's eight strikeouts were a career high. His velocity was up across the board compared to 2022, as he averaged 96.2 mph with his four-seam fastball and 91.4 mph on his cutter, which he threw 39 percent of the time. It was an impressive showing from Varland, but it's possible this will end up just being a spot start if Kenta Maeda (arm fatigue) will indeed be ready to start next week after having his start skipped this weekend.

Varland was called up by the Twins on Friday ahead of his start against the Yankees, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Varland has made one start for Triple-A St. Paul this season, allowing one run, four hits and a walk across five innings while striking out nine batters. He also fared well in his five major-league starts last season but will likely only stay in the majors for one appearance this time around, as Kenta Maeda (arm) should avoid spending time on the injured list. Cole Sands was optioned to St. Paul in a corresponding move.

Varland will start Friday's game against the Yankees, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Varland has spent the early portions of the season with Triple-A St. Paul, and he's made one start during which he worked five innings and struck out nine while surrendering only one earned run. He made his big-league debut last season and put together a respectable 3.81 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 21:6 K:BB across 26 innings. Varland will tentatively be limited to a spot start in a tough matchup at Yankee Stadium, as Kenta Maeda (arm) is expected to avoid the injured list.

Varland was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Garland made his MLB debut with five starts last year and had a 3.81 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 21:6 K:BB over 26 innings, but he won't open 2023 with the big-league club. The 25-year-old should start out in St. Paul's rotation, though he's likely to receive some spot starts for the Twins at some point this season.

Varland (1-2) earned the win Wednesday, allowing zero runs on four hits and zero walks over five innings against the White Sox. He struck out five.

In the final game of the season, Varland recorded his first career win with a dominant performance against the White Sox. For the first time this season, Varland did not walk a batter, and he fanned five, the second most he's posted. After recording a 3.06 ERA in 126.1 innings across the minors this season, Varland struggled to begin his big league career to the tune of a 4.71 ERA entering Wednesday, but the scoreless effort dropped his ERA to 3.81 and gives him positive momentum heading into the offseason.

Varland allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three across five innings Thursday against the Twins. He did not factor into the decision.

Varland ran into trouble in the third inning, as he allowed all three of his hits and both of his earned runs in the frame. In three starts since entering the Twins' rotation on Sept. 17, Volland has a 5.17 ERA with a 9:5 K:BB across 15.2 frames. He showed more strikeout upside in the upper levels of the minors, though his six swinging strikes across 72 total pitches suggest that may not translate immediately in the majors.

Varland is slated to start Thursday's home game against the White Sox.

He'll be getting his third straight turn through the rotation, even though he was briefly returned to Triple-A St. Paul before being recalled ahead of his most recent start. Through three starts overall in September with the big club, Varland owns a 5.06 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB in 16 innings.

Varland (0-2) gave up three earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over 5.2 innings to take the loss in a 4-2 defeat against the Angels on Friday.

Varland came within one out of recording his first career quality start but was forced to settle for the loss after giving up a pair of solo home runs to Taylor Ward. Varland has now made three major league starts and has an ERA of 5.05 in the small sample size. The 24-year-old right-hander had an ERA of 3.34 with a K/9 of 10.2 in 105 innings at Double-A this year, so it is worth watching to see how his skills translate to the big leagues. He is tentatively expected to make his next start against the White Sox.

Varland was called up from Triple-A St. Paul and will start Friday versus the Angels.

Varland has made two starts with the Twins this season, struggling to 5.23 ERA and 1.45 WHIP while striking out 10 batters over 10.1 innings. He'll likely return to St. Paul following Friday's outing. Aaron Sanchez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Varland (0-1) gave up four earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three in five innings in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

The rookie was less effective than in his previous big-league start earlier this month against the Yankees. He now has a 5.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in 10.1 innings. Varland was up as the 29th man so he will either be optioned off the active roster or work as a long reliever.

Varland was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to serve as the 29th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Varland made his major-league debut Sept. 7 against the Yankees and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in 5.1 innings. While he'll serve as the 29th man as the starter in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, it's possible that he earns a rotation spot for the rest of the year if he performs well against Cleveland.

Varland is expected to be recalled from Triple-A and start one game of Saturday's doubleheader against Cleveland, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Varland had an impressive major league debut by allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in 5.1 innings at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 8. He could remain in the rotation the rest of the season with a strong outing.

Varland was returned to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Varland served as the 29th man during Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees and served as the starting pitcher during the matinee. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in 5.1 innings. In spite of Varland's demotion, manager Rocco Baldelli said Wednesday that he expects the right-hander to be back with the Twins at some point down the stretch.

Varland didn't factor into the decision in a 5-4 extra-innings loss during the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Making his major-league debut, Varland got taken deep by Aaron Judge in the fourth inning, but he's far from alone in that this season. Otherwise, the 24-year-old looked sharp and fired 55 of 80 pitches for strikes before exiting with a 3-1 lead, only for Griffin Jax to serve up a game-tying homer before the frame was over. Varland was up as the 29th man for the twin bill but may have earned another turn in the rotation with this performance, especially with Tyler Mahle (shoulder) back on the injured list. Through 126.1 innings in the high minors this year, Varland produced a 3.06 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 146:42 K:BB.

Varland's contract was selected from Triple-A St. Paul to serve as the 29th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Varland will make his major-league debut as the starter during Wednesday's matinee against the Yankees after he posted a strong 1.69 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 21.1 innings over four starts at St. Paul over the last month. If his success translates to the major-league level, it's possible that the 24-year-old will be able to secure a role with the Twins over the final month of the regular season.