The Milwaukee Brewers returned 2022 Rule 5 Draft pick Gus Varland to the Los Angeles Dodgers after he was designated for assignment last week and cleared waivers.
Varland was selected by the Brewers with the 10th pick in the Major League phase of last year’s Rule 5 Draft. Former Dodgers prospects Jose Hernandez (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Ryan Noda (Oakland Athletics) were also picked, and have found success with their new respective teams.
Varland was included on the Brewers’ Opening Day roster and struggled to the tune of an 11.42 ERA, 9.52 FIP and 2.65 WHIP in 8.2 innings pitched across eight games. Command was an issue as he had more walks (eight) than strikeouts (six).
The right-hander spent three weeks on the 15-day injured list after being hit on his pitching hand by a line drive. He was activated for the Brewers’ series against the Dodgers and threw 1.1 scoreless innings in his only appearance.
Varland was originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Concordia University before he was acquired by the Dodgers as part of a trade involving Adam Kolarek.
The 26-year-old went 4-4 with two saves, a 6.11 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 85 strikeouts in 70.2 innings for Double-A Tulsa last year. He also pitched for the Drillers in 2021, and prior to this year, had never appeared in a game above the Double-A level.
What’s next for Gus Varland?
Now back with the Dodgers, Varland is not subject to Rule 5 restrictions and was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
A return to the Majors at some point isn’t out of the question, but Varland would first need to be added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
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