Twins' Louie Varland: First career win in final game
Rotowire
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, his second-highest strikeout total of the season. 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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: No-decision against White Sox
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Varland allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three across five innings Thursday against the White Sox. 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 three starts since entering the Twins' rotation Sept. 17, Varland 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 to the majors.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Remains in rotation
Rotowire
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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Gives up three runs in loss
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Varland (0-2) gave up three earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three batters 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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Called up Friday
Rotowire
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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Struggles in second MLB start
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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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Called up as 29th man
Rotowire
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 and 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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Likely back in majors Saturday
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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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Fans seven in MLB debut
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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 during the sixth inning, 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 since Tyler Mahle (shoulder) is 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.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Called up as 29th man
Rotowire
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 the 24-year-old will be able to secure a role with the Twins over the final month of the regular season.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Heads back to minors
Rotowire
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 will be called up from Triple-A St. Paul to start Wednesday on the road against the Yankees, Patrick Reusse of 1500 AM ESPN Twin Cities reports.
Varland, 24, logged a 3.34 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 119 strikeouts in 105 innings at Double-A Wichita before recently getting a promotion to Triple-A. He was dominant for St. Paul, giving up just four earned runs with a 0.85 WHIP and 27:3 K:BB in 21.1 innings across four starts. There's no reason he can't stick in the rotation over the rest of the season if he pitches fairly well in his MLB debut.
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Twins' Louie Varland: Promoted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Varland was promoted to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Varland was bumped up to Double-A Wichita to begin the 2022 season, and he posted a 3.34 ERA, 119:39 K:BB and 1.34 WHIP in 105 innings over 20 appearances (19 starts). The right-hander will have a chance to prove himself against Triple-A competition late in the year. However, he's unlikely to be in the mix to join the Twins until sometime in 2023.
