Pitcher Louie Varland’s struggle throughout much of the season stemmed from throwing too many hittable strikes in two-strike counts. However, in the recent game on Sunday, the issue shifted dramatically as he struggled to throw strikes at all.
The Minnesota Twins, who have been on a slump, lost their sixth game out of the last seven, falling 6-1 to the Tigers in the series finale at Target Field. This dismal performance has dropped their record to 7-13, leaving them with an eight-game deficit in the American League Central. Given this downturn, there appears to be little room for Varland to continue struggling, as he had another tough outing, appearing noticeably off his game.
Manager Rocco Baldelli has refrained from confirming Varland’s next start in the rotation, indicating a potential change. With the need for immediate victories becoming more pressing, Baldelli stressed the urgency for improvement, emphasizing that the team cannot afford to continue playing and pitching poorly. He acknowledged the necessity for adjustments, including potential roster changes and exploring new strategies to address their current challenges.
The Twins have an alternative option in Simeon Woods Richardson, who is poised to step into a rotation role after an impressive six-inning outing during a spot start in a doubleheader on April 13 in Detroit. Woods Richardson has shown consistency in three out of four Triple-A starts, providing Minnesota with a potential solution for more reliable performances compared to Varland’s struggles as a starter.
Reflecting on his performance, Varland expressed frustration, acknowledging the opportunity presented to him but admitting that it hasn’t unfolded ideally. Despite Varland’s pitches showing improvement compared to last season, the Twins may not have the luxury of waiting for him to find his rhythm, particularly as their situation worsens amid the absences of Royce Lewis and Carlos Correa.
Sunday’s game only reinforced concerns about Varland’s struggles, presenting a version of him that the Twins hadn’t previously witnessed. With Varland allowing 17 earned runs in 16 2/3 innings over four starts this season, resulting in a high 9.18 ERA, the pressure is mounting.
Varland admitted to feeling the weight of his slow start, acknowledging the temptation to overthink the situation, a sentiment he believes is natural given the circumstances.
Known for his ability to consistently throw strikes, Varland struggled with command in his latest outing, falling behind in the count against 13 out of 15 hitters he faced. This resulted in four walks, equaling his career high, along with a hit-by-pitch, forcing him out of the game before completing the third inning. Varland’s difficulties culminated in a two-run homer by Buddy Kennedy, occurring on one of the rare occasions when Varland managed to get a pitch into the strike zone, only for it to end up in a vulnerable middle-middle location.
Of his 74 pitches, Varland delivered only 35 for strikes, marking a career-low strike percentage of 47%, significantly below his previous lowest mark of 58%, which occurred in his 2024 season debut against the Brewers.
Manager Baldelli expressed surprise at Varland’s uncharacteristic struggles, emphasizing that while even good pitchers can face challenges, this particular performance was unprecedented. He emphasized the need to understand the root cause of Varland’s issues, highlighting Varland’s usual ability to command his fastball and cutter effectively.
In the immediate future, the Twins may require relief assistance before Varland’s next turn in the rotation, particularly given the concerning performance of Chris Paddack (with an 8.36 ERA) scheduled to start Monday’s series opener against the White Sox.
Looking ahead, the depth behind Simeon Woods Richardson is already becoming limited. Minnesota had hoped to rely on Varland this season to bolster their pitching depth, but due to both Anthony DeSclafani’s injury and Varland’s struggles, they may have already depleted their options.
Following Woods Richardson, there’s Randy Dobnak as a potential alternative if the Twins decide that the fifth-ranked prospect David Festa isn’t quite ready. However, it’s crucial for Varland to find solutions to his struggles so that Minnesota doesn’t have to delve too deeply into their uncertain pitching depth.
Expressing his frustration, Varland emphasized his commitment to hard work and preparation, making his disappointing outing all the more disheartening.
