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Louis Varland is now closing games for the Blue Jays.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland reacted to closing games for the team after Jeff Hoffman recently lost his job as the team’s closer.

Hoffman was relieved this week of his closing duties for the defending American League East champions, with GM Ross Atkins telling reporters the team would go with a closer-by-committee approach at closer for now. On Saturday, the Blue Jays had a save opportunity in the ninth inning of their game against the Cleveland Guardians. Although it wasn’t a clean save, Varland came in and finished the Guardians off, with the Blue Jays winning 8-6. It was Varland’s second career save, with his first coming earlier this week when he relieved Hoffman after he struggled in a game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Speaking to reporters after getting the chance to close out games for the Blue Jays, Varland gave his thoughts on getting the chance to be a closer for the first time in his MLB career.

“It’s like my first experience of a true save opportunity, so it’s kind of like a new feeling. It’s basically what Hoffman the past couple of years has been dealing with, team is on your shoulders, you’re dealing with a lot of pressure, it’s like (the) highest pressured situation, (a) closing scenario. It was weird, I wasn’t used to it, obviously, but hopefully I get more used to it as time comes, whether that comes in the seventh, eighth or ninth,” Varland said (via Sportsnet).

Louis Varland Among Several Closing Options

Varland appears to be the top option for the Blue Jays when it comes to closing out games for the team, but several other relievers will be options. They include submariner Tyler Rogers, sophomores Braydon Fisher and Mason Fluharty, and, when he returns from an IL stint, veteran Yimi Garcia. Overall, the Blue Jays have a relatively deep bullpen, and so it makes sense to go with a closer-by-committee approach, at least for now, while Hoffman works out his kinks.

It is also worth noting that while the Blue Jays have stripped Hoffman’s closing duties for now, it may not be a permanent move. If he can be successful in lower-leverage spots for the team, they could perhaps turn back to him at closer later in the season if he shows he can get back to his All-Star form. But for now at least, the Blue Jays will turn to Varland and others to close out the series.

Blue Jays Need to Win Consistently to Remain in Playoff Hunt

The Blue Jays need to start winning more consistently if they are going to stay in the playoff mix in the crowded American League East. The New York Yankees look like the cream of the crop in the division this year, while the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles are young and dangerous. The Boston Red Sox have struggled to start this season, but after firing manager Alex Cora, they hope it will give them the spark that they need to make a playoff run. That’s why the Blue Jays mustn’t blow any more saves, and why Hoffman lost his closer job, at least for now.