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Are Louis Varland’s numbers better as a reliever or closer for the Blue Jays?
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Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Ian Hunter
May 19, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: May 19, 2026, 17:09 EDT
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Mason Miller is unequivocally running away with the crown of “Reliever of the Year” thanks to his dominant run for the San Diego Padres. It turns out Louis Varland of the Toronto Blue Jays is not that far behind. 
With 1.1 fWAR through 22 appearances this season, the 28-year-old has not only been the most important reliever in the Blue Jays bullpen, but he might be the best reliever in the American League to date.
Several weeks ago, his role on the Blue Jays changed as he became part of the “closer by committee.” Now he’s earned the nickname “The Committee” because Varland has been the de facto choice for John Schneider in save situations since the team removed Jeff Hoffman from the closer’s role.
At the time, it was a move that needed to be made, even though Hoffman wasn’t getting lit up by opposing hitters. A combination of free passes, bad luck, and getting BABIP’d to death put the Blue Jays in a tough spot, and so the logical choice was to bring in their stopper: none other than Varland.
American League Reliever of the Month honours soon followed for Varland, who became the latest Blue Jays reliever to receive that title since Jordan Romano in July 2021.
Despite going through a rough patch last August and early September, Varland turned things around and became a staple in the Blue Jays’ bullpen down the stretch and through the playoffs. His Herculean single-season postseason appearance record is a benchmark that might never be broken, but that seemed like only the beginning of things to come for the right-hander.
Varland not only picked up where things left off at the end of last year’s postseason run, but he got better. He’s done wonders limiting hard contact this season with the Blue Jays, and combined with his plus fastball and off-speed pitches, is striking out batters at a higher rate than ever before.
But aside from getting a fancy new closer’s entrance and being called upon in save situations, has anything really changed for Varland? Surprisingly, no.

Louis Varland’s numbers pre-closer

G
ERA
AVG
OBP
SLG
HR/9
K%
BB%
K-BB%
WHIP
BABIP
LOB%
FIP
xFIP
34
3.25
.248
.306
.395
0.8
32.6%
8.3%
24.3%
1.22
.354
70.4%
2.60
2.48
In 34 games from August 1, 2025, until April 20, 2026, Varland was rock-solid out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays. Whether it was in low, medium, or high-leverage, he was often a go-to option with runners on base, thanks to his high strikeout numbers and ability to keep the ball on the ground.
Once Schneider pulled the parachute on Hoffman and changed over to Varland on April 21, moving forward, it was more of the same from Varland, except in much higher-pressure situations.

Louis Varland’s numbers as a closer

G
ERA
AVG
OBP
SLG
HR/9
K%
BB%
K-BB%
WHIP
BABIP
LOB%
FIP
xFIP
11
0.79
.250
.340
.273
0
30.00%
12%
18%
1.50
.379
88.2%
2.05
2.92
Although he’s struck out slightly fewer batters as a closer, Varland has yet to give up a home run in 11 games since his new role was established with the Blue Jays. Limiting opponents to a .273 slugging percentage has been massive for his ability to limit damage, even though that elevated 12% walk rate has gotten him into trouble a few times.
But unlike Hoffman before him, when Varland works his way into danger, he often gets himself out of it. His 88.2% strand rate is astronomically high, but not out of the realm for an elite high-leverage reliever.
Varland’s FIP and xFIP numbers track from one role to another, so there are no major red flags under the hood in that regard. People often look at ERA as one of the benchmarks for reliever success, and while it’s sexy to have your ERA start with a zero, even if that balloons into the 1.00 or 2.00 ERA territory soon, that’s not an indication of a reliever’s struggles.
The major numbers to look at with back-end relief pitchers, especially closers, are their strikeout and walk rates. A K-BB% of 25% and above is elite, and on the year, Varland is sporting a 26.3% K-BB rate (Hoffman has a 27% K-BB, by the way).
Much like his overall peripherals, Varland’s pitch mix has been consistent, regardless of role. When he first came aboard as a Blue Jay and for the first part of this season, his fastball usage was around 42.3% and his off-speed weapon, his knuckle curve, was used 33% of the time.

Louis Varland’s pitch mix pre-closer

Baseball Savant
Looking ahead to Varland’s most recent repertoire as the closer, his 4-seam usage is a tick higher at close to 49%, with his knuckle curve, slider, and changeup seeing decreased usage as a byproduct of more fastballs.

Louis Varland’s pitch mix as a closer

Baseball Savant
The velocity on Varland’s heater has remained consistent, no matter which role in the bullpen, with a little more zip on his fastball as of late, averaging .2 MPH more since becoming “The Committee”.
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said during the offseason that Hoffman would be amenable to relinquishing the closer’s role, but most observers assumed it would be for a free agent like Edwin Diaz, Robert Suarez or Pete Fairbanks.
It turns out the Blue Jays had the solution under their noses this whole time with Varland.

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