28-Year-Old Bullpen Star Could Be the Next Blue Jays Closer in 2026

On Tuesday, April 21st, Louis Varland achieved his first Major League save after Toronto’s current closer, Jeff Hoffman, almost blew his fourth save of the 2026 season. Hoffman took the mound at the bottom of the ninth with the Blue Jays leading the Angels 4-1. He fortunately struck out his first batter, but he only got worse after that. Next, three-time MVP Mike Trout singled to start a rally. Hoffman then proceeded to load the bases by hitting the next two batters. It was around this time that Toronto told the bullpen to warm up Varland quickly. The 28-year-old righty pitched one and one-third innings the night before, but it only took one at-bat for him to be ready.

Hoffman should be grateful that his defense only allowed one run to score after he let the pinch hitter, Yoán Moncada, get a single with the bases loaded. With the help of several mound visits from catcher Brandon Valenzuela and manager John Schneider to give him more time, Varland was ready to face the sixth hitter, Nolan Schanuel. In the ninth inning, he inherited bases loaded with the winning run on first and only one out. In one pitch, the 28-year-old held Schanuel to a ground-out double play to win Toronto’s second series of 2026. 

Varland created hope for a team that’s been struggling as their injured list continues to extend. With a majority of that list being pitchers, the Jays can’t afford for a struggling closer to work through his issues during live games, making it clear it’s time to look for a new closer. Though things may be looking up for Toronto with players, like rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage, swiftly approaching his return to the Majors, they continue to make mistakes they can’t afford. Hoffman is a great example of that. While Schneider can’t completely remove him from the roster, perhaps the 33-year-old could become a regular reliever to keep him out of high-pressure situations. In his place should be someone who has proven himself worthy of such a reliable position, and Varland's stats speak for themselves.

Though he was drafted in 2019 by his hometown team, the Minnesota Twins, Varland didn’t exceed rookie limits until 2023. He only pitched 89 games for the Twins and was often sent down to the Minors before being traded to Toronto in 2025. Since the 28-year-old was acquired at the end of July, he only pitched 23 ⅓ innings for the Jays, but posted a 2.97 ERA for the full 2025 season. Varland clearly did some work in the offseason because over the 13 innings he’s pitched in 2026, he has maintained a 0.00 ERA. One weapon he added to his arsenal was his changeup, which was the exact pitch he threw to earn his first career save. The 28-year-old also has a four-seam fastball, a curveball, a slider, and a sinker. His WHIP in 2026 is well below the league average at only 0.86, and he has struck out 19 batters. 

Beyond his stats, he has now bailed Hoffman out twice. The other game where this happened was on April 14th against the Brewers. Then, Hoffman blew a lead of 6-2, allowing Milwaukee to tie the game in the ninth. Varland was brought in and immediately recorded a strikeout to get his team out of the chaotic inning. Thankfully, his team reclaimed the lead at the top of the tenth, and he only allowed one unearned run to get his first win of the season. The 28-year-old has proven himself in multiple high-pressure situations, so why hasn’t he been given the closer role yet?

Toronto’s manager has been loyal to a fault. Schneider believed Hoffman would work through this slump, but on April 22nd, he admitted he was finally ready to re-evaluate the closer role. Toronto’s manager plans to use the team’s off-day on Thursday to discuss the matter with Hoffman: “I will talk with him, continue to show support for him, like I’m always going to do, no matter what the outcome, and try to put him in spots to have success… He’s a big boy. He understands that the spotlight’s on a little bit, and rightfully so. So it’s like, 'How can we be there to support you? How can we help you get ahead of hitters? Is it mechanical? Is it between the ears a little bit? What’s going on here, and how can we help?”

Hoffman has been quoted as taking accountability for his poor performance, crediting it to his struggle to get ahead of hitters, and this is clearly not something he can work through while in the closer role. When asked about Varland, Schneider said, “With Louis, you’re obviously comfortable. If you need him in the ninth, you could use him in the ninth, but sometimes the game could be won or lost in the eighth, top of the order. How do you weigh where to use Louis?” Toronto could transition to closing by committee, alternating between their strongest relievers, like Varland and submarine-style pitcher Tyler Rogers. Schneider clearly values his bullpen star as fans and analysts do. Does this mean the 28-year-old could close as soon as Friday? It’s admirable that the Jays manager is so confident in Hoffman, but since the Jays need any help they can get, it might be time to get creative with the bullpen.