The Milwaukee Brewers designated reliever Gus Varland for assignment Tuesday, one day after the rookie right-hander allowed nine runs in two-thirds of an inning in an 18-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Varland had joined the Brewers as a winter meeting draft pick from the Los Angeles Dodgers. If Varland clears waivers, the Brewers would have to offer him back to the Dodgers for $50,000.