Varland gave up a run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Tuesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Royals. He struck out one.
The right-hander entered the game to protect a three-run lead, and while he did serve up a solo shot to Lane Thomas, Varland got the job done on 23 pitches (14 strikes). His brother Louis also notched a save for the Blue Jays on Tuesday, making them the fourth set of brothers in MLB history to pick up saves on the same day, with Edwin Diaz and Alexis Diaz having most recently accomplished the feat May 17, 2022. The Nationals' Varland has the team's two most recent saves, and he seems to have nudged his way to the front of the line for closing opportunities, as neither Clayton Beeter nor Richard Lovelady have collected a save in June.
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Nationals' Gus Varland: Can't close door Wednesday
Rotowire
Varland gave up three runs on two hits and a walk while failing to record an out during Wednesday's 11-10 loss to the Giants.
The right-hander entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning to protect a 10-6 lead after Paxton Schultz and Orlando Ribalta had combined to allow five runs in the eighth, and Varland continued the meltdown before handing the ball off to Mitchell Parker, who took the blown save when he served up a walk-off grand slam to Bryce Eldridge. It's the first time Varland has been tagged for multiple runs since May 10, but he has been scored upon in four of his last seven appearances, stumbling to a 10.80 ERA, 2.80 WHIP and 4:6 K:BB over five innings during that rough stretch. He does have a save and a hold in that time, but he only has a spot in the Nats' high-leverage crew because the team lacks better options.
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Nationals' Gus Varland: Secures fifth save
Rotowire
Varland picked up the save in Monday's 4-3 win over San Francisco. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning.
With Clayton Beeter recording four outs between the seventh and eighth innings, Varland was called upon to handle the ninth frame and worked around a leadoff walk to Rafael Devers and a two-out single by Jung Hoo Lee to secure the win for Washington. It marked Varland's fifth save of the campaign and first since May 7. Overall, the right-hander owns a 4.01 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB across 24.2 innings. He's in the mix for save opportunities, though Beeter likely sits slightly ahead of Varland in the pecking order.
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Nationals' Gus Varland: Settles for hold Friday
Rotowire
Varland walked one and struck out one without being charged with a run in two-thirds of an inning Friday, recording his fifth hold of the season in a 3-2 win over the Orioles.
The right-hander was put in a bit of a tough spot, being brought in with nobody out and two runners on in the ninth inning to protect a 3-0 lead. Varland allowed one inherited runner to score on a sacrifice fly, and he was lifted for matchup purposes, as manager Blake Butera had southpaw Richard Lovelady face Gunnar Henderson instead, a move that nearly backfired. Varland remains the top high-leverage option in the bullpen for Washington and leads the team in both holds and saves (four), but his 4.32 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB through 16.2 innings show how much that's due to a lack of viable alternatives rather than his own performance.
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Nationals' Gus Varland: Locks down fourth save
Rotowire
Varland secured the save Thursday against the Twins, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out two.
Varland filled the zone for 12 strikes among his 16 offerings, permitting a lone innocuous single to Byron Buxton in the eighth inning. The 29-year-old right-hander should continue to have Washington's closer role mostly to himself until Clayton Beeter (forearm) comes off the injured list. Varland has converted four of his six save opportunities, posting a 3.07 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB over 14.2 frames overall this year.
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Nationals' Gus Varland: Picks up save
Rotowire
Varland earned the save Sunday against the Brewers, allowing no runs on no hits and no walks while striking out one in a clean ninth inning.
With normal closer Clayton Beeter down after pitching two days in a row, Varland rewarded the coaching staff's faith in him for Sunday's save opportunity, working a clean, efficient ninth inning. The 29-year-old hadn't had a save up to that point in his entire career, so it's a first for Varland, who snapped a two-outing streak of allowing at least a run in the process. He now holds a 5.40 ERA in five innings pitched.
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Nationals' Gus Varland: Claims spot in bullpen
Rotowire
The Nationals announced Wednesday that Varland won a spot on the Opening Day roster.
The 29-year-old right-hander didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2025 and threw only 6.1 innings in the minors in the White Sox system, but Varland looked healthy this spring while posting a 5.23 ERA and 13:4 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The back of the Washington bullpen is unsettled, and Varland could work his way into a high-leverage role with a quick start to the campaign.
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Diamondbacks' Gus Varland: Booted off 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks designated Varland (undisclosed) for assignment Thursday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Taylor Clarke. Varland has not made an appearance for Arizona, as he was a waiver claim in August and didn't pitch during the final three month of the season due to an undisclosed injury.
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Gus Varland: Heads to open market
Rotowire
The White Sox released Varland (undisclosed) on Saturday.
The White Sox designated Varland for assignment Thursday, and he'll now hit the open market after clearing waivers. A 28-year-old righty who has spent parts of the last three seasons at the Triple-A level, Varland hasn't pitched since June 28 due to an undisclosed injury. He has a 4.82 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 46.2 career innings in the majors.
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White Sox's Gus Varland: Erased from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The White Sox designated Varland (undisclosed) for assignment Thursday.
Varland had been on the White Sox's 40-man roster all season, but he had pitched exclusively in the minors before landing on Triple-A Charlotte's injured list in July. Over 5.1 innings with Charlotte, Varland posted a 5.01 ERA and 1.96 WHIP. He made his last appearance for the affiliate June 28 and was later shifted to the 60-day IL, so the White Sox apparently weren't counting on him pitching again until at least late August or early September. He's likely to go unclaimed off waivers and could go back on Charlotte's IL if he opts to stay in the organization and accept an outright assignment to Triple-A.
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White Sox's Gus Varland: Healthy again at Triple-A
Rotowire
Varland (undisclosed) has given up one earned run on one hit and two walks while striking out four over 2.1 innings in his two relief appearances for Triple-A Charlotte since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Varland missed two and a half months of action due to the undisclosed injury, but he's healthy again and will look to put together a slew of quality relief performances to earn a call-up to the big leagues. He posted a 3.42 ERA over 26.1 innings in 2024 between stops in the majors with the Dodgers and White Sox a season ago.
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White Sox's Gus Varland: On mend from injury
Rotowire
Triple-A Charlotte placed Varland on its 7-day injured list March 31 due to an unspecified injury.
Varland made just one appearance for Charlotte before landing on the shelf less than a week into the season. The right-hander looks to be closing in on his return to the Charlotte bullpen, however, as he began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League last week. Varland retains a spot on the White Sox's 40-man roster, so he could be in the mix for a promotion to the big club later on this season if he can get healthy and pitch well at Charlotte over an extended stretch.
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White Sox's Gus Varland: Will open season in minors
Rotowire
The White Sox optioned Varland to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.
Varland entered camp looking like a key piece of Chicago's Opening Day bullpen, but he struggled with his control during the exhibition slate, walking six batters over 7.1 innings while posting a 9.82 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and eight strikeouts. The righty reliever will look to get right in the minors, and there is a good chance he'll make it back up to the big-league bullpen at some point during the campaign.
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White Sox's Gus Varland: Summoned from Triple-A
Rotowire
The White Sox recalled Varland from Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday.
Chicago placed reliever Steven Wilson (back) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Varland was claimed off waivers by the White Sox on Aug. 2 after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers three days prior. He has a 3.00 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across six major-league innings this season.
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White Sox's Gus Varland: Claimed by South Siders
Rotowire
The White Sox claimed Varland off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.
The right-hander was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Tuesday, and the White Sox utilized their No. 1 spot in the waiver order to bolster their relief depth. Varland allowed two earned runs over six innings for Los Angeles but has struggled to a 7.99 ERA in 28 outings at Triple-A this year.
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Dodgers' Gus Varland: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.
The right-hander was called up by Los Angeles on Friday and will return to Oklahoma City without appearing in a game. Varland has six appearances for the Dodgers this season and has allowed two earned runs with a 3:4 K:BB over six innings.
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Dodgers' Gus Varland: Recalled by Dodgers
Rotowire
The Dodgers recalled Varland from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Varland will take the spot on the 26-man roster vacated by southpaw Nick Ramirez, who was optioned to Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Varland made seven appearances out of the Dodgers' bullpen before being sent down to the minors May 15, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.83 WHIP over six innings. Over his last four minor-league outings, Varland has given up two hits and one walk while striking out four across four scoreless frames.
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Dodgers' Gus Varland: Sent back to minors
Rotowire
The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Since coming up from the minors in late April, Varland has given up one earned run through 5.1 innings while striking out three batters and walking four. He last pitched Tuesday, so he'll return to the minors to make room for a fresh arm in Eduardo Salazar, as the Dodgers prepare to rely on their bullpen to get them through Wednesday's affair with the Giants.
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Dodgers' Gus Varland: Called up Monday
Rotowire
Varland was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.
Varland will return to the major-league roster after being sent down to Oklahoma City on April 8. The right-hander has pitched two-thirds of an inning with the Dodgers over two appearances this season, allowing two runs (one earned). He'll replace Ryan Brasier (calf) in the bullpen for Los Angeles after Brasier was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday.
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Dodgers' Gus Varland: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Dodgers optioned Varland to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Varland will return to Triple-A after being recalled by the Dodgers on April 6. He pitched against the Cubs on April 7, when he gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit over 0.1 innings. Prior to his call-up, Varland appeared in three games for OKC, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk over 3.2 innings.
