FORT MYERS, Fla. — Pitcher Bailey Ober had done all he could, all that was within his control to leave a strong impression last spring and make the Twins’ decision as difficult as possible.

But despite his strong performance, there really was nothing he could do — he was the sixth man in a five-man rotation, and when camp broke, it was Ober on the outside looking in. It didn’t take long, though, until the need for a starter arose and Ober got the call, subsequently pitching well enough to cement himself in the Twins’ rotation.

This spring, Louie Varland finds himself in a similar position.

Assuming all are healthy, the Twins appear poised to break camp with a starting pitching rotation of Ober, Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Chris Paddack and Anthony DeSclafani. DeSclafani, acquired in the Jorge Polanco trade with Seattle this offseason, has yet to pitch in a game this spring after some elbow soreness cropped up, but he is expected to throw in a minor-league game on Saturday.

And so, assuming that goes well, where does that leave Varland?

The local product has thrown 11 scoreless innings this spring, including another four innings in Wednesday’s 1-1 tie at Hammond Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I feel good,” Varland said. “We’re in a good spot right now. We’re throwing it well. The ball is moving how I want it and where I want it. It’s been good.”

He’s certainly doing everything he can to fight for a spot, even if the odds are long.

“He’s a young pitcher with something to prove,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “You don’t prove yourself by going out there and just tinkering with everything and experimenting with a half-dozen things. … I think the way he’s attacking hitters in these spring training games and how it mirrors what it would look like during the season, I think it also shows you his mentality that he has toward the game and toward his craft.”

Varland made 10 starts for the Twins last season and then late in the year, shifted to the bullpen and was highly effective in relief. He’s back to starting now, and he’s made a meaningful impression this spring.

And yet, the roster math still suggests he will start the season in St. Paul as the Twins are unlikely to utilize a six-man rotation. So, has he showed the Twins’ decision-makers all that he had hoped to this spring?

“Not yet,” he said. “I got something for them yet.”

Oh yeah? What’s left to show them?

“It’s a surprise,” Varland said.

Briefly

The Twins sent another group up to Port Charlotte to take on the Tampa Bay Rays in an exhibition game Wednesday. In that game, Matt Wallner, who is hitting .087 this spring, smacked his first home run. The Twins lost 4-3. … Byron Buxton is scheduled to play center field on Thursday after manning the position Wednesday. It will be the first time he has played the outfield in consecutive games since 2022. … Ober is set to start for the Twins on Thursday when they play host to the Toronto Blue Jays.

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