Louis Varland's first start for the Toronto Blue Jays will come in a pressure-packed situation.
The Blue Jays announced late Wednesday that Varland will start Thursday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre (Sportsnet, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT).
The slumping Blue Jays have dropped into a tie with the New York Yankees for the lead in the AL East. Each team has four games left.
Varland has made all 72 of his appearances in 2025 out of the bullpen with the Minnesota Twins and Blue Jays.
It figures to be a short start for Varland, with the Blue Jays previously saying Thursday will be a bullpen day. His longest outing this year has been two innings.
Toronto avoided using high-leverage arms Jeff Hoffman and Seranthony Dominguez as well as former starter Eric Lauer in Wednesday's blowout loss to the Red Sox.
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Varland has thrown only 11 pitches since Sept. 15 — with all of them coming Tuesday in a loss to the Red Sox.
Varland was a starter when he reached the majors in 2022, but then split time between starting and relieving the next two years.
Acquired from the Twins at the trade deadline, Varland has a 5.66 ERA in 21 appearances with the Blue Jays this year.
The Red Sox start regular rotation man Brayan Bello (11-8, 3.34 ERA).
The Blue Jays will send Shane Bieber to the mound on Friday, with Trey Yesavage to pitch Saturday and Kevin Gausman will end the season on Sunday against the Rays should the game factor into the race for the AL East.
Originally, Bieber was set to go on Thursday with Yesavage on Friday, but the team is hoping to give Bieber some extra rest as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
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