Gus Varland Fantasy Stats

Washington Nationals reliever Gus Varland tossed a scoreless ninth in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Pirates, earning his second save in consecutive appearances. It wasn't without drama, though, as the right-hander allowed a one-out double and walked the next batter, but was able to get the next two hitters out and close the door on the threat. Clayton Beeter, who had notched the team's prior two saves, was notably used in the eighth to record a pair of outs instead of the ninth. Neither pitcher has been particularly overpowering, with Beeter having the edge in ERA and WHIP (3.24, 1.08 vs. 4.50, 1.50) but Varland with the better K-BB% (14.8 percent vs. 0.0 percent). The team could continue to use both pitchers going forward, but the 29-year-old Varland has planted himself squarely on the fantasy radar if he will be in the mix for saves going forward, which he appears to be. The 6-foot-1 hurler is available in nearly all Yahoo! leagues, but that number is sure to rise.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Gus Varland (hand) will start a rehab assignment with the High-A Timber Rattlers on Thursday. The prospect was hit in the hand by a comebacker earlier in the season, and the team placed him on the injured list on April 16. Over 6.2 innings, Varland owns a 2.70 ERA with four punchouts, two walks, and one hold. If everything goes well, he should be back with the club for their road trip to Colorado next week. Varland doesn't have much fantasy value but can be stashed in deep dynasty leagues hoping that he gets a chance to start in the future.

Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Gus Varland tossed a scoreless inning with three strikeouts in Thursday's Cactus League game against the San Diego Padres, and he's now struck out nine hitters and walked none in his last three spring outings for the Brewers. Overall in his 6 1/3 innings in Cactus League action this year, he's allowed four earned runs on eight hits (three home runs allowed) while walking one and striking out 12. The team's No. 27 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was a Rule 5 pick and hasn't played above Double-A yet, so there's a good chance he'll start the year in the minors and be returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old spent all of last year at Double-A Tulsa, where he went 4-4 with a 6.11 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, two saves and 85 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings over 41 outings (seven starts).