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Louis Varland named to The Sporting News American League All-Star Team
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Oct 23, 2026, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 22, 2026, 23:54 EDT
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Louis Varland’s 2026 dominance is receiving national recognition. 
On Thursday, Varland was named to The Sporting News American League All-Star Team as the relief pitcher. 
Across 71 games this season with the Toronto Blue Jays, Varland went 5-6 with a 1.27 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Varland picked up 35 saves in 37 opportunities, struck out 97 batters, and held opponents to a .196 average across 78 innings pitched. 
Varland’s dominance came out of nowhere, as over his first three-and-a-half seasons in the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins, the right-hander compiled a 4.62 ERA across 89 games (22 starts), which included the 2024 campaign when he recorded a 7.61 ERA across 16 outings. 
During the 2025 campaign with the Twins, Varland was used exclusively as a reliever, and it proved to be the best thing for his career. Varland posted a 2.02 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 51 outings, which put him on the trade block as the Twins found themselves outside the playoff picture. 
The Blue Jays swept in and acquired Varland from the Twins on July 31, 2025, alongside Ty France in exchange for Alan Roden and Kendry Rojas. Varland joined the Blue Jays’ bullpen and quickly became one of manager John Schneider’s trusted relievers. 
Over 23 games to close out the 2025 regular season, Varland posted a 4.94 ERA before turning in a 3.94 ERA across 15 postseason outings during the Blue Jays’ playoff run. 
Flash forward to the start of 2026, and Varland opened the season as one of the set up relievers alongside Tyler Rogers for former Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman. Varland opened the year by not allowing an earned run over his first 12 outings, and coupled with Hoffman’s struggles, the Blue Jays opted for a change. 
On April 21, in a game against the Los Angeles Angels, the Blue Jays found themselves holding a 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning. Schneider opted for Hoffman, who allowed four of the first five batters to reach, and the Blue Jays skipper decided to turn to Varland with the bases loaded, one out and a two-run game.
Varland entered to face Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel. Varland threw a first-pitch changeup and got Schanuel to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to preserve the 4-2 victory for the Blue Jays. 
From that moment on, Varland remained the Blue Jays’ closer, and the 28-year-old will head into the 2027 campaign as the undisputed ninth-inning man. Under contract until the completion of the 2030 season, Varland has the opportunity to become one of the franchise’s best relievers if he can continue on this trajectory. 
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