RHP made the opening day roster in Seoul, pitched in 6 games for LA, and was claimed by the White Sox off waivers in August.
Gus Varland made his second opening day roster in 2024 and first with the Dodgers, as he was active for the Seoul Series, and pitched in the second game of the regular season in South Korea.
The right-hander got three more calls to the Dodgers during the season, but spent the bulk of his first four months in Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Varland’s longest stretch with the Dodgers came from April 29 to May 15, when he got into five games and allowed only one run in 5⅓ innings. Otherwise he pitched just once in his April stint and did not pitch when he was called up for two days in July.
A number of blow-up outings in June and July ballooned his Oklahoma City ERA to 7.99, though he did strike out 36 in 32⅔ innings, with 13 walks.
Varland wasn’t dealt at the trade deadline but the effect was the same. The Dodgers designated both Varland and Nick Ramirez for assignment on July 30 to clear 40-man roster space for trade acquisitions Michael Kopech and Jack Flaherty.
On August 2 the White Sox claimed Varland off waivers, so if you want to spiritually include him as part of the trade return for Kopech, I won’t put up a fight.
Varland understandably saw more time in the majors with Chicago, for whom he struck out 24 and unintentionally walked only three while posting a 3.54 ERA and 2.03 FIP in 20⅓ innings down the stretch.
2024 particulars
Age: 27
Stats: 7 G, 6 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 3 K with Dodgers
Salary: unknown, likely somewhere near MLB minimum of $740,000
Game of the year
On May 11 against the Padres in San Diego, Varland pitched a perfect seventh inning, including a strikeout of Donovan Solano.
Roster status
Varland is on the White Sox 40-man roster.
Proof:
Gus Varland, White Sox pitcher pic.twitter.com/tbWbFPWxGB
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) December 18, 2024