Congratulations are in order for Toronto Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland, who was named as the reliever on the 2026 Sporting News' American League All-Star team that was announced on Thursday. The awards are voted on by players, managers, and executives.

Joining Varland on the All-Star team?

C: Dillon Dingler (Detroit Tigers)

1B: Pete Alonso (Baltimore Orioles)

2B: Chase Meidroth (Chicago White Sox)

SS: Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals)

3B: Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays)

OF: Riley Greene (Detroit Tigers), Cedanne Rafaela/Wilyer Abreu (Boston Red Sox) Randy Arozarena (Seattle Mariners)

DH: Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros)

SP: Cam Schlittler (New York Yankees)

RP: Louis Varland (Toronto Blue Jays)

A 28-year-old native of Minnesota, Varland is now a five-year veteran of the Minnesota Twins and Blue Jays. The Blue Jays acquired him at the trade deadline in 2025 and he played an integral role in the team's run to the World Series, and he was even more important in 2026.

He appeared in 71 games, pitching to a 1.27 ERA in 78.0 innings. He struck out 97 hitters in that time, and his ability to go multiple innings was a huge advantage for manager John Schneider.

Though he started the season as a set-up man, he had taken the closer's job from Jeff Hoffman by May, and he finished the year with 35 saves, also earning his first All-Star Game appearance.

Hoffman was traded to the Twins, ironically, and Varland will hold the closer's job again in 2027. He's under contract through 2030.

The Blue Jays enter the 2027 offseason with a number of options on the staff, but not enough full answers.

1) We know that Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Jose Soriano and Cody Ponce will have the top four spots in the starting rotation, but after an injury-plagued year, is Yesavage ready for a full season? And Ponce missed all but one start, is he ready as well?

2) The fifth starter spot could come down to an injury recovery as well in the form of Jose Berrios or Bowden Francis. Are they ready to go once spring training starts? Do one or both of them go to the bullpen?

3) As for the bullpen, Varland and Tyler Rogers are back to anchor it, along with Mason Fluharty. If Spencer Miles ends up in the rotation, then the 'pen needs some more help, but if he stays in the bullpen, he can be another option for Schneider in mid-to-high leverage as well.