Dodgers Roster News: LA Calling Up Young Reliever to Replace Injured Joe Kelly

A highly touted reliever joins the team!

With Joe Kelly going on the IL, the Dodgers have decided to call up Gus Varland to replace him on the roster.

Varland was picked up by the Brewers in this past year's Rule 5 Draft, but when he was DFA'd in May, he was given back to the Dodgers, and has flourished ever since.

Dodgers are indeed calling up reliever Gus Varland with Joe Kelly landing on the IL, source confirms. @ByJackHarris was on it.

Varland was the Brewers’ Rule 5 pick from LA this year but was returned to the org. Has performed well in OKC.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 14, 2023

Ever since coming back to the Dodgers, Varland has had a 2.16 ERA over 30 games in Triple-A, and has struck out 39 times over 33.1 innings pitched.

He'll be added to a Dodgers bullpen that has been reinvigorated with the addition of Ryan Yarbrough, and he'll look to make a name for himself as a reliable reliever that the Dodgers can count on.

His major league "audition" for the Brewers didn't go too well, as he pitched to the tune of an 11.42 ERA over 8 games, but that stat seems a little inflated.

The only time he gave up more than two runs was May 15 against the Cardinals, in which he gave up 9 runs over 2/3 of an inning.

If you take that game out of the picture, Varland would've had a 2.25 ERA over his time in Milwaukee.

Even though the situation was unfortunate, it's exciting to see Varland get a shot at the big leagues again. His numbers after his stint with the Brewers sure do prove that he deserved it.

Especially after what he had to go through this season after being struck by a comebacker off the bat of Manny Machado on April 15.

Scary play. Wishing the best for Gus Varland pic.twitter.com/h9QIKmdq8W

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) April 15, 2023

In order to make room for the 26-year-old righty, the Dodgers are going to have to make another roster move, but it shouldn't be an issue.

Looking forward to seeing what he can do, and maybe earning himself a spot in the bullpen in the years to come!