Former Rule 5 Draft Pick Returns to Dodgers After Being DFA’d By Brewers

He should get an opportunity to help this struggling bullpen out.

The Los Angeles Dodgers got back an old friend on Monday when reliever Gus Varland returned to the organization.

Varland had been selected by the Brewers in the Rule 5 Draft this past year, but was designated for assignment after flaming out in his last appearance.

The 26-year-old cleared waivers, and is now right back in Los Angeles, where he's spent the last few seasons.

Gus Varland, selected by the Brewers in the Rule 5 Draft this year, has returned to the Dodgers.

He looked really good in his first 7 outings with Milwaukee — sporting a 2.25 ERA — before getting rocked in his final appearance.

The Dodgers should give him an opportunity soon.

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) May 22, 2023

Initially, Varland had a strong start with the Brewers this season. He made the Opening Day roster and had four consecutive scoreless outings before giving up a run in his fifth appearance.

Varland followed that with two more impressive outings, raising hopes that the Brewers had come away with a steal in the Rule 5 Draft. However, his last start with the Brewers turned disastrous as he allowed nine earned runs, including two home runs. He was designated for assignment the next day, and is now back with the Dodgers.

Now, the question arises: Can Varland contribute to the Dodgers this season?

Although he has never played above Double-A for the Dodgers, he has shown his ability to compete at the MLB level this year. In 2022 with the Tulsa Drillers, Varland had a 6.11 ERA in 70.2 innings across 41 appearances.

It remains to be seen whether Varland will be sent back to Double-A or if the Dodgers will promote him to Triple-A to further develop his skills. If he can replicate the dominance he displayed in his first seven outings with the Brewers, he could become a valuable asset to the Dodgers' bullpen sooner rather than later.

The Dodgers are currently experimenting with various relievers, but none have stood out as long-term solutions. Players like Andre Jackson, Wander Suero, Tyler Cyr, and Dylan Covey have been given recent opportunities to prove themselves, but the team is still searching for reliable options.

If Varland performs well in the minor leagues, he could be the next reliever to earn a shot with the Dodgers. If he can deliver performances similar to his early appearances with the Brewers, he may stick around for longer than the other guys.