Toronto Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland picked up his first career save, and he may be the team’s new closer.
The Blue Jays took on the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series. The Blue Jays entered the ninth inning with a 4-1 lead, handing embattled closer Jeff Hoffman the ball to try to close out the game. Hoffman, who entered the game with a ghastly 6.97 ERA, struck out Zach Neto to open the ninth inning before giving up a single to Mike Trout. Hoffman then hit Jo Adell and Jorge Soler to load up the bases. Pinch hitter Yoan Moncada then singled to make the game 4-2 with the bases still loaded.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider, who has drawn criticism for backing Hoffman as the team’s closer despite his struggles this season and last, decided to bring in Varland to close out the game. One pitch later, and Varland was able to induce a ground ball double play from Nolan Schanuel, ending the game after the Angels’ challenge regarding the out at first base was upheld on review.
For Varland, this was his first career save, and it came at an important time for the Blue Jays, who have now won three games in a row after losing four straight, upping their record on the season to 10-13. With Hoffman struggling so much for the Blue Jays the last two seasons, the team may have found their new closer with Varland, who has been one of the most effective relief pitchers in baseball this year.
Louis Varland Has Not Allowed a Run in 2026
Varland has pitched in 12 games for the Blue Jays so far in 2026, and he possesses a shiny 0.00 ERA, having not allowed a single run all season long. He has also punched out an impressive 19 batters in 13 innings pitched. His advanced analytics back up the eye test, as Varland has been extremely impressive this season when looking at his Statcast page. This comes after the 2025 playoffs, where Varland set an MLB record by being used 15 times during the postseason, including five appearances in the World Series alone.
Varland was acquired alongside first baseman Ty France at last season’s trade deadline from his hometown Minnesota Twins in exchange for pitching prospect Kendry Rojas and outfielder Alan Roden. While Varland struggled out of the gate for the Blue Jays, candidly admitting that the trade from his hometown team caught him by surprise, he began to feel comfortable later in the season. Then he proved during the postseason why the Blue Jays made it a priority at the trade deadline to acquire him.
Louis Varland May Become the New Blue Jays Closer
Fans and media have been calling for Varland to get the chance to close for the Blue Jays, and following Tuesday’s impressive, one-pitch outing that saw him pick up his first career save, there is a chance he gets the opportunity to close for the Blue Jays going forward. Although Schneider has remained steadfast that he trusts Hoffman as the team’s closer, the Blue Jays simply cannot afford to keep blowing saves. With a 7.59 ERA on the year now, Hoffman cannot be trusted anymore to be the closer. Varland deserves the opportunity to close games for the Blue Jays, and he will likely get the chance to do so following yet another poor performance from Hoffman.
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