Louis Varland

Blue Jays right-hander Louis Varland earned his fifth save of the season in a 2-0 win over the Angels on Friday.

Fantasy Impact

Varland took care of the Angels in order in the bottom of the ninth, inducing a pair of groundouts along with a flyout to notch his fifth save of the season. The 28-year-old has been flat-out dominant this season, posting an eye-popping 0.46 ERA to go along with a 13.27 K/9 and a 60% ground-ball rate through 19 appearances. It appears Varland is the sure-fire closer in Toronto regardless of how Jeff Hoffman performs outside of the ninth inning.

Louis Varland struck out three batters in a scoreless appearance to earn the save in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Red Sox.

Fantasy Impact

Varland continues a strong stretch out of the bullpen, holding opponents scoreless in five of his last six appearances. The right-hander looks to have a firm grip on the closer role after taking over for an underwhelming Jeff Hoffman for manager John Schneider, carrying a 0.56 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with four saves and three holds across 15 appearances.

Blue Jays right-hander Louis Varland nailed down his third save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Guardians on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact

While Varland ran into trouble before locking down a save on Saturday, Sunday's outing was less stressful. He did allow a leadoff single to Chase DeLauter, but retired the next three Guardians hitters in order, the final two via strikeout. Varland is now a clean 3-for-3 on save opportunities this season and sports a tidy 0.60 ERA and a 23:4 K:BB across 15 innings pitched this season. If Varland keeps this up, it's extremely doubtful the Blue Jays would entertain moving Jeff Hoffman back into the closer's spot at any point this season.

Blue Jays right-hander Louis Varland flirted with danger but nailed down his second save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Guardians on Saturday.

Fantasy Impact

Varland was awarded the first save opportunity since the Blue Jays removed Jeff Hoffman from the closer's role this week, and he allowed one earned run on three hits and a walk. However, he was able to strike out the final two batters he faced and stranded the bases loaded for his second save of the season, and of his career. Varland had not allowed an earned run this season prior to Saturday's outing and now sports a 0.64 ERA on the season through 13 outings and 14 innings pitched.

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said the team is moving to a closer by committee approach.

Fantasy Impact

Jeff Hoffman is no longer the primary closer in the Blue Jays bullpen. Louis Varland and others will be in the mix.