The Twins, amid their rough start to the season, made a change to their starting rotation Monday.
Louie Varland was demoted to Class AAA St. Paul one day after the shortest start of his career. Varland owned a 9.18 ERA through four outings, the second-highest ERA in the American League among pitchers who have thrown at least 15 innings this season.
The Twins promoted reliever Ronny Henriquez to give themselves an extra option in the bullpen until they need to fill the vacant spot in the rotation. Simeon Woods Richardson, who made a spot start in a doubleheader April 13, is lined up to start Friday against the Los Angeles Angels.
Varland yielded four runs in 2⅔ innings during Sunday’s 6-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers, issuing four walks and hitting a batter. He threw only 35 of his 74 pitches for strikes, a concerning lack of command for a pitcher who is known as a reliable strike thrower.
“With everything that had been going on, I don’t think it was a hard decision right now,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “I think it was the right decision, and that was clear for him and for us. It gives him an opportunity to focus on some things and get better without having to only worry about the results of what he’s doing.”
Twins pitching coaches encouraged Varland to throw his sinker more often this year, a pitch he developed in the minor leagues last season. He hasn’t looked comfortable with it, throwing it only 12 times, according to Statcast, without success.
Varland, a 26-year-old North St. Paul native, will continue to start at St. Paul.