The Chicago White Sox claimed Gus Varland off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander was designated for assignment, along with Nick Ramirez, on July 30.
Those were corresponding moves to make room on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster for newly-acquired Jack Flaherty and Kevin Kiermaier. The Dodgers traded prospects Thayron Liranzo and Trey Sweeney to the Detroit Tigers for Flaherty, and Kiermaier was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Ryan Yarbrough.
Justin Wrobleski was then optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in order to add Flaherty to the Dodgers’ roster. Hunter Feduccia was optioned to the Minors as well to activate Kiermaier.
Flaherty fulfilled the Dodgers’ search for an impact starting pitcher and the addition of Kiermaier helps shore up their defense in center field that also was addressed through a trade for Tommy Edman.
Kiermaier joined the team in Oakland this weekend and Flaherty is scheduled for his Dodgers debut on Saturday.
For Varland, he reunites with former Dodgers teammate Miguel Vargas, who was acquired by the White Sox as part of a three-team trade that involved the St. Louis Cardinals as well.
Gus Varland’s Dodgers career
The White Sox claiming Varland represents his second time leaving the Dodgers organization. Varland was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2022. He was on the Brewers’ Opening Day roster for the 2023 season but returned to the Dodgers later in the year.
Varland pitched in eight games for the team last season and was on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster for the Seoul Series. He made one appearance in South Korea before getting optioned to Oklahoma City prior to the Dodger Stadium opener.
Over parts of two seasons with the Dodgers, Varland went 1-1 with a 3.06 ERA, 4.24 FIP and 1.76 WHIP in 15 games.
The Oakland Athletics picked Varland in the 14th round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
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