| T. J. McFarland | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) McFarland atthe Pentagon in 2018 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1989-06-08)June 8, 1989 (age 36) Palos Hills, Illinois, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 6, 2013, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| MLB statistics (through June 26, 2025) | |
| Win–loss record | 26–20 |
| Earned run average | 4.18 |
| Strikeouts | 325 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Timothy John McFarland (born June 8, 1989) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theBaltimore Orioles,Arizona Diamondbacks,St. Louis Cardinals,New York Mets, andOakland Athletics /Athletics.
McFarland attendedAmos Alonzo Stagg High School inPalos Hills, Illinois, where he played for the school's baseball and basketball teams for four years[citation needed]. As a senior, McFarland recorded 103 strikeouts while walking only 13 in66+2⁄3 innings pitched. He signed aletter of intent to attend theUniversity of Missouri and playcollege baseball for theMissouri Tigers baseball team.[1]
TheCleveland Indians selected McFarland in the fourth round of the2007 MLB draft.[1] Rather than attend Missouri, McFarland signed with the Indians.[2] While pitching for theKinston Indians of theHigh–ACarolina League in 2010, he was named to the all-star game.[3] McFarland spent the 2012 season with theAkron Aeros of theDouble–AEastern League and theColumbus Clippers of theTriple–AInternational League.[4]
On December 6, 2012, theBaltimore Orioles selected McFarland from the Indians in theRule 5 draft.[4] After a strongspring training,[5] he was named to the Orioles' Opening Day roster.[6] The Orioles traded fellow relief pitcherLuis Ayala in April 2013, further solidifying McFarland's hold on a roster spot and improving his chances of staying with Baltimore; a Rule 5 pick must remain with the MLB team that drafted him for the entire season or be offered back to the original team for $25,000. He earned his first career major league win on June 13, pitching an inning of relief against theBoston Red Sox. He made his first career start on June 28 against theNew York Yankees.[7] In his first full major league season, McFarland made 38 appearances with all but one in relief.
McFarland earned his first major league win as a starter on July 1, 2014, against theTexas Rangers.[8] In 37 appearances for the Orioles in 2014, he compiled a 4-2 record and 2.76 ERA with 34 strikeouts across58+2⁄3 innings pitched.[9] McFarland pitched in 30 contests for Baltimore in 2015, posting a 2-2 record and 4.91 ERA with 26 strikeouts over40+1⁄3 innings of work.[10]
McFarland made 16 relief appearances for the Orioles during the 2016 campaign, but struggled to a 6.93 ERA with 7 strikeouts across24+2⁄3 innings pitched.[11] On February 19, 2017, McFarland wasdesignated for assignment following the acquisition ofVidal Nuño. He was released by Baltimore on February 26.[12]
On March 3, 2017, McFarland signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks.[13] The Diamondbacks promoted him to the major leagues on April 27.[14] In 43 games for Arizona, McFarland logged a 4-5 record and 5.33 ERA with 29 strikeouts across 54 innings.[15]
On December 6, 2017, McFarland re-signed with the Diamondbacks on a one-year, $850,000 contract.[16] In 2018, McFarland posted a career-best 2.00 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 47 appearances. In 2019, he recorded a 4.82 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 56 innings over 51 games for the Diamondbacks.
On November 4, 2019, McFarland was claimed off waivers by theOakland Athletics.[17] In 2020 for Oakland, McFarland pitched to a 4.35 ERA with 9 strikeouts over20+2⁄3 innings pitched in 20 appearances.[18] He became a free agent after the shortened 2020 season.[19]
On February 16, 2021, McFarland signed a minor league contract with theWashington Nationals organization.[20] On March 27, McFarland was released by the Nationals.[21] On March 31, McFarland re-signed with the Nationals on a new minor league contract.[22] He was assigned to the Triple-ARochester Red Wings to begin the 2021 season, and logged a 5.25 ERA in 18 appearances before he was released on June 30.
On June 30, 2021, McFarland signed a split contract with theSt. Louis Cardinals organization,[23] claiming that he had a better chance to get called up in St. Louis than in Washington. On July 16, McFarland's contract was selected to the active roster.[24] He spent the remainder of the season with St. Louis, going 4–1 with a 2.56 ERA in 38 relief appearances.[25] In38+2⁄3 innings pitched, McFarland recorded 21 strikeouts and 12 double plays, the latter of which set a new franchise record after the All-Star break.[26] He was the losing pitcher in theNL Wild Card Game, surrendering a walk toCody Bellinger, who later scored onChris Taylor's tie-breaking walk-off home run.
On November 8, 2021, McFarland signed a one-year contract to return to the Cardinals.[26] On August 10, 2022, McFarland was designated for assignment.[27] At the time, he had a 6.61 ERA in 28 relief appearances.[25] After his release, McFarland was re-signed by the Cardinals to a minor league contract on August 23. He was assigned to the Triple-AMemphis Redbirds.[28] McFarland elected free agency following the season on November 10.[29]
On December 20, 2022, McFarland signed a minor league deal with theNew York Mets.[30] In 23 appearances for the Triple–ASyracuse Mets, he worked to a 2.76 ERA with 37 strikeouts in32+2⁄3 innings pitched. On June 26, McFarland's contract was selected, adding him to the active roster.[31] In 3 appearances, he surrendered two runs (one earned) on four hits with two strikeouts in1+2⁄3 innings of work. On July 14, he was designated for assignment following the activation ofJosé Quintana from the injured list.[32] After clearing waivers, McFarland elected free agency in lieu of an outright assignment on July 18.[33]
On July 22, 2023, McFarland signed a minor league contract with theBaltimore Orioles organization.[34] In 21 games for the Triple–ANorfolk Tides, he pitched to a 1.80 ERA with 30 strikeouts across 30 innings of work. McFarland elected free agency following the season on November 6.[35]
On January 26, 2024, McFarland signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles Dodgers that included an invitation to spring training.[36] On March 26, the Dodgers traded him to the Athletics in exchange for cash consideration and he was added to the major league roster.[37] McFarland made 79 total appearances out of the bullpen for Oakland, compiling a 2-4 record and 3.81 ERA with 39 strikeouts across56+2⁄3 innings pitched.[38]
On November 7, 2024, McFarland re-signed with the Athletics on a one-year, $1.8 million contract.[39] He made 27 appearances for the Athletics in 2025, pitching to a 6.89 ERA with seven strikeouts across15+2⁄3 innings pitched. On June 27, McFarland was designated for assignment.[40][41] He was released after clearing waivers on July 4.[42]
McFarland and his wife, Jenna, married in 2016 and welcomed their first child, a son, in November 2021.[43]
In 2018, McFarland graduated from theUniversity of Phoenix with a degree in business management.[44]
