Toronto Blue Jays' Louis Varland making a strong case for closers role
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Louis Varland is emerging as a strong candidate for the closer’s role.
In early September, Louis Varland made a pivotal adjustment. Alongside his pitching coaches, he recognized he had become too predictable, a pattern that contributed to a 7.36 ERA across his first 16 appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays.
At the time, his arsenal had been largely limited to a fastball and a knuckle curve.
“If you’re a hitter,” Varland said at the time, “you’re gonna sit certain pitches that the pitcher throws a lot more than others. So if you throw a pitch that they’re not anticipating, you’re bound for success.”
Beginning Sept. 10, Varland expanded his repertoire, reintroducing a changeup, slider, and sinker, pitches he had relied on earlier in his career as a starter.
The results have been striking. Since that adjustment, he has been Toronto’s most effective reliever.
With ongoing uncertainty in the back end of the bullpen, Varland is now positioning himself as a viable closer, or at least a key part of the ninth-inning mix.
Louis Varland with a HUGE strikeout of Mike Trout ⛽️
Over 38 innings dating back to September, including postseason play, Varland has posted a 1.89 ERA while recording 47 strikeouts against just nine walks.
Through 12 appearances this season, the 28-year-old has yet to give up an earned run.
Louis Varland has been absolutely UNSTOPPABLE this season. The Blue Jays reliever hasn’t allowed an earned run yet through 13.0 IP!
In Tuesday’s game, he entered in the ninth inning and quickly got loose to bail out Jeff Hoffman from a bases-loaded situation.
It took just one pitch for Varland to end the threat, a softly hit ground ball that deflected off the mound and turned into a game-ending double play, earning him his first career save.
King Louis 👑Varland's FIRST MLB save!
With Varland thriving and Hoffman struggling in recent outings, manager John Schneider told Sportsnet's Shi Davidi that the team plans to discuss Hoffman’s role during Thursday’s off day.
Hoffman’s early-season numbers have been rough, with inconsistent command and a .609 batting average on balls in play, roughly double the league average, contributing to a 7.59 ERA.
While his 3.37 expected ERA suggests potential for improvement, Varland has clearly outperformed him so far in 2026.
“He doesn’t bat an eye,” manager John Schneider said earlier this season. “He’s just like, ‘Give me the ball.’”
If Toronto decides to make a change at closer, Varland looks more than ready to step into the role.
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4 HOURS AGO|21 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays' Louis Varland making a strong case for closers role Who is your closer? Jeff Hoffman or Louis Varland? | ||