Gus Varland

Augustus James Varland (born November 6, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago White Sox.

Career Varland graduated from North Senior High School in North St. Paul, Minnesota and played college baseball at Concordia University, St. Paul. In 31 games at college, he was 16–7 with a 3.04 ERA. Varland did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Los Angeles Dodgers The Athletics traded Varland and Sheldon Neuse to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Adam Kolarek and Cody Thomas on February 12, 2021. Varland spent the year with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, pitching to a 1–4 record and 5.71 ERA with 22 strikeouts in innings of work.

On May 6, 2022, Varland was the starting pitcher in a game against the Wichita Wind Surge, for whom his brother Louie was the starting pitcher. He spent the entire 2022 season with Tulsa, struggling to a 4–4 record and 6.11 ERA with 85 strikeouts in innings pitched. Varland made his MLB debut on Opening Day (March 30), pitching in relief against the Chicago Cubs. He struck out the first batter he faced, Miles Mastrobuoni. Through seven appearances for Milwaukee, Varland held a 2.25 ERA with five strikeouts in nine innings pitched.

Los Angeles Dodgers (second stint) On May 22, 2023, Varland cleared waivers and was returned to the Dodgers organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, where he made 30 appearances and logged a 2.16 ERA with 39 strikeouts in innings pitched. On August 15, the Dodgers selected Varland's contract, adding him to the major league roster. On August 23, Varland recorded his first career victory in the major leagues, beating the Cleveland Guardians. He pitched in eight games for Los Angeles, allowing four earned runs in innings. On September 10, Varland was placed on the injured list with right knee inflammation. He was transferred to the 60–day injured list two days later, ending his season.

Varland began the 2024 on the major league roster for the Dodgers season opening series in Seoul, South Korea and pitched to one batter before he was optioned back to Oklahoma City to start the minor league season. He made seven appearances in the majors, allowing two earned runs in six innings

Chicago White Sox On August 2, 2024, Varland was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox. In 19 appearances for the White Sox, he compiled a 1-0 record and 3.54 ERA with 24 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Varland was optioned to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights to begin the 2025 season, where he recorded a 5.06 ERA with nine strikeouts in innings pitched across seven appearances. Varland was designated for assignment by Chicago on August 7, 2025.

Washington Nationals On August 11, 2025, Varland was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He did not make an appearance for the organization prior to the conclusion of the season. On January 15, 2026, Varland was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks.

On January 22, 2026, Varland was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.

Personal life Varland's younger brother, Louis, plays in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays.