Fantasy News

• Twins' Louie Varland: Sent down after spot start

  Rotowire Jun 12, 2024

  The Twins optioned Varland to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. Varland made a successful spot start Tuesday against the Rockies, spinning five scoreless frames while taking a no-decision in Minnesota's 5-4 loss. The Twins will use his roster spot for a fresh relief arm, with Jay Jackson coming up from Triple-A to join the bullpen.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Blanks Rockies in spot start

  Rotowire Jun 12, 2024

  Varland didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against Colorado, allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts across five scoreless innings. Varland was part of the Twins rotation to start 2024, but after falling to a 9.18 ERA after four starts, he was sent down to Triple-A. The 26-year-old also struggled in the minors, owning a 5.31 ERA before being called up Tuesday to give Minnesota's starters an extra day of rest. Varland made quick work of the Rockies, needing just 63 pitches to get through five innings. However, he didn't qualify for the win, as the Twins didn't score until the seventh inning.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Recalled ahead of start

  Rotowire Jun 11, 2024

  The Twins recalled Varland from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday. Varland will make a spot start Tuesday against the Rockies as the Twins give the regular members of their rotation some extra rest. The right-hander holds a disappointing 9.18 ERA and 18:9 K:BB across 16.2 innings this season in the majors. Varland has posted a 5.31 ERA at St. Paul but has fanned 44 batters over 40.2 frames. He's likely to be sent back down immediately after Tuesday's outing.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Confirmed to start Tuesday

  Rotowire Jun 10, 2024

  Varland will be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to start Tuesday's game against the Rockies, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. The Twins will promote Varland to the big leagues for a spot start as the club aims to give the rotation an extra day of rest, per Gleeman. Diego Castillo is set to be optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Varland has struggled in four starts for Minnesota this season, posting a 9.18 ERA and 2.16 WHIP with an 18:9 K:BB across 16.2 innings.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Could make spot start Tuesday

  Rotowire Jun 10, 2024

  Varland and Caleb Boushley are the two leading candidates to be called up from Triple-A St. Paul to make a spot start Tuesday against the Rockies in Minnesota, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The Twins will give each member of their rotation an extra day of rest between starts by adding a spot starter in the mix Tuesday. Varland hasn't had much success in the minors since he lost the Twins' fifth-starter role and was sent to Triple-A in April. He owns a 5.31 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 44:14 K:BB in 40.2 innings at St. Paul this season.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Falls to 0-4

  Rotowire Apr 21, 2024

  Varland (0-4) allowed four runs on three hits and four walks over 2.2 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking the loss against Detroit. Varland coughed up two runs in the first inning before Buddy Kennedy knocked him out of the game with a two-run shot in the third. It was Varland's shortest start of the year and bumped his ERA up to 9.18 through four outings. He threw just 35 of 74 pitches for strikes and forced one whiff. Varland's next outing is lined up to be on the road against the Angels.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Saddled with another loss

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Varland (0-3) allowed six runs (four earned) on 11 hits over five innings to take the loss Monday against the Orioles. He struck out six. Varland's five-inning effort did not include a clean inning and included three separate innings in which he allowed two runs, though neither of the runs scored in the first inning were earned. Varland has failed to make it past five innings in any start this year, earning the loss in all three, with Monday's 11 hits allowed representing a career high. Varland won a job in the Twins rotation after having allowed zero runs in the spring but has allowed 13 earned runs over 14 innings thus far for an ERA of 8.36 with a 2.07 WHIP. He'll look to turn things around in his next start, tentatively slated to take place over the weekend in Detroit against the Tigers.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Strong spring as starter

  Rotowire Mar 9, 2024

  Varland threw three scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League loss to Pittsburgh. He threw 34 pitches and another 11 in the bullpen as he prepares to be a starter, MLB.com reports. He's thrown seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and one walk this spring. Varland is competing with Anthony DeSclafani for the fifth starter role. He could begin the season with the job, as DeSclafani is working his way back from a sore right elbow. If Varland loses out on a rotation spot, it will be interesting to see if the Twins move him to the bullpen or keep him as a starter at Triple-A. Varland excelled as a reliever last season with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings with a 17:1 K:BB while seeing his fastball touch triple digits.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Preparing as starting pitcher

  Rotowire Feb 18, 2024

  The Twins plan to have Varland stretch out as a starting pitcher this spring, although moving him to the bullpen remains an option, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He's been working on an improved two-seam fastball and slider in the offseason to help him win a spot in the rotation. Varland's improved velocity turned him into a late-season weapon out of the bullpen last year after working as a starter the first five months. As a reliever he had a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings with a 17:1 K:BB while throwing a fastball that touched triple digits. He'll be in the mix for the final spot in the rotation this spring. If Varland loses out on the fifth starter role to Anthony DeSclafani, it will be interesting to see if the Twins move him to the bullpen or keep him as a starter at Triple-A. He could be an impact fantasy asset as a starting pitcher this season given his improvement last season and if a new pitch can broaden his arsenal.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Recall made official

  Rotowire Sep 4, 2023

  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: Moves to bullpen at Triple-A

  Rotowire Sep 1, 2023

  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.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Hit hard by Tigers

  Rotowire Jun 19, 2023

  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.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Takes first loss of season

  Rotowire May 27, 2023

  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. The right-hander has made six big-league starts this season and given up more than three runs in only one of them. Homers remain Varland's biggest issue -- he's served up nine in 34 innings, and his 4.24 ERA hides an ominous 5.43 FIP.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Wins again Saturday

  Rotowire May 21, 2023

  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.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Cruises to first win

  Rotowire May 14, 2023

  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.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Gives up one in no-decision

  Rotowire May 9, 2023

  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.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Remains in rotation

  Rotowire May 8, 2023

  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.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Starting Wednesday

  Rotowire May 2, 2023

  The Twins will call Varland up from Triple-A St. Paul to start Wednesday versus the White Sox, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He's sliding into the rotation 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 streaming option against a struggling White Sox club.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Could get call-up Wednesday

  Rotowire May 1, 2023

  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.

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• Twins' Louie Varland: Quality start vs. Yankees

  Rotowire Apr 14, 2023

  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 turn skipped this weekend.

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