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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Promotion imminent
Rotowire
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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Moves to bullpen at Triple-A
Rotowire
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 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 carries a 3-3 record with a 5.30 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 54:16 K:BB in 56 major-league innings (10 starts) this season. This move likely clears the way for Kenta Maeda (triceps) to rejoin the Minnesota rotation later this week.
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.
Twins' Louie Varland: Six strikeouts in no-decision
Rotowire
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.
