Former Dodgers Pitcher Lost in Rule-5 Draft Has Been Designated for Assignment

The Dodgers can now get him back, if they choose.

Former Dodgers RHP Gus Varland has been designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers. Varland was selected by the Brewers in the Rule 5 Draft this year, meaning he had to spend the entire year on their active roster or else the Dodgers would have the option to get him back.

After the six-week experiment, the Brewers have officially given up, and designated him for assignment.

The Brewers have designated Rule 5 pick Gus Varland for assignment after he was charged with nine runs in the eighth inning last night.

RHP JB Bukauskas recalled from Triple-A Nashville.

— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) May 16, 2023

Varland was pitching very well for the Brewers through his first seven outings, sporting a 2.25 ERA. Then, however, it all fell apart in his eighth and final outing.

Varland entered the team's May 15 loss to the Cardinals with his team trailing 8-1. He ended up allowing six hits, walking three batters and was charged with nine earned runs. He allowed two home runs in the inning, one that the Cardinals ended in a grand slam off a position player — but Varland was charged with three earned runs for all the runners on base.

The Dodgers will now have a chance to get Varland back, someone who got as high as Double-A with the Dodgers organization. If he clears waivers, here are their options, per the MLB's official rulebook:

"Should the player clear waivers, he must be offered back to his previous team for $50,000 and can be outrighted to the Minors only if his original club does not wish to reacquire him."

With Double-A Tulsa in 2022, Varland had a 6.11 ERA in 70.2 innings. Varland is still just 26 years old, though, so he should land on his feet somewhere. We'll see if the Dodgers decide to bring him back.