McFarland signed a one-year contract with the Athletics on Thursday.
McFarland put up a 3.81 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 56.2 innings last year and tallied 19 holds while pitching in high-leverage situations fairly often. He's likely to retain a similar role in his second year with the A's, though opportunities for saves will be limited as long as Mason Miller is still on the team.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' T.J. McFarland: Hit with third loss Thursday
Rotowire
McFarland (2-3) took the loss against the Astros on Thursday, allowing two earned runs on two hits over one-third of an inning. He did not walk or strike out a batter.
McFarland took the mound in a 2-2 tie after Mitch Spence's seven-inning quality start, but the veteran southpaw allowed back-to-back singles with one out and saw both runners cross the plate after he got the hook. McFarland last allowed an earned run Aug. 28, and despite Thursday's stumble, he carries a 3.78 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across a career-high 72 appearances (52.1 innings).
... See More... See Less
Athletics' T.J. McFarland: Falters, takes second loss
Rotowire
McFarland (2-2) took the loss and a blown save against the Tigers on Saturday, allowing two unearned runs on a hit and a walk over one-third of an inning.
McFarland authored a messy start to a seventh-inning stint that started with the Athletics up 1-0, allowing a single and a walk to two of the first three batters he faced. Both would eventually come around to score, although McFarland was on the mound only for the first run, and a throwing error by Zack Gelof on the leadoff hit also kept both runs unearned. McFarland had last qualified for a decision -- a victory in that instance -- back on Aug. 7, and he still holds a 1.29 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over the 14 innings he's pitched in the second half of the season.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' T.J. McFarland: Nabs second win Wednesday
Rotowire
McFarland (2-1) got the win against the White Sox on Wednesday, firing a scoreless seventh inning during which he allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout.
McFarland was particularly sharp during his one frame, locating nine of 11 pitches for strikes and comfortably navigating around the infield single he allowed. The veteran left-hander was then the beneficiary of Oakland's three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh, which put McFarland in line for his first win since April 28. The scoreless appearance was also the fifth consecutive for McFarland, who boasts Wednesday's win, two holds and a 1.59 ERA over his last eight trips to the mound overall.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' T.J. McFarland: Takes first loss Sunday
Rotowire
McFarland (1-1) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, allowing three earned runs on a hit, a hit batsman and a walk over one-third of an inning.
McFarland's outing was about as messy as his final line implies, with the left-hander immediately working himself into trouble upon entering in the seventh inning with the game knotted at 1-1. McFarland hit Randal Grichuk to open the frame and subsequently yielded a double to Corbin Carroll and intentionally walked Ketel Marte before exiting. Austin Adams would allow all three inherited runners to score, saddling McFarland with the first runs on his ledger since June 6. Despite the stumble, McFarland was impressive throughout most of June, putting together nine consecutive scoreless appearances (6.1 innings) with three holds prior to Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' T.J. McFarland: Gets ninth hold Wednesday
Rotowire
McFarland recorded his ninth hold in a win over the Royals on Wednesday, retiring the only batter he faced.
McFarland closed out the sixth inning for Luis Medina by retiring Adam Frazier on a flyout to left that left Nick Loftin stranded at first base. The veteran southpaw reliever has been outstanding since early May, recording a 1.17 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and four holds across 15.1 innings over his last 18 appearances. However, the fact he's typically used in middle relief usually limits McFarland to the occasional hold opportunity and leaves him with minimal fantasy appeal.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' T.J. McFarland: Secures first win Sunday
Rotowire
McFarland (1-0) got the win against the Orioles on Sunday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded two strikeouts.
McFarland's dominant eighth frame saw him locate eight of 10 pitches for strikes, a particularly impressive display of efficiency. The veteran southpaw has had a couple of stumbles overall, but McFarland has mostly been a reliable bullpen workhorse for manager Mark Kotsay. Factoring in Sunday's appearance, he's already logged 11.1 innings across 16 appearances, posting a 3.97 ERA and recording four holds in addition to his one victory.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' T.J. McFarland: Acquired by Oakland
Rotowire
The Athletics acquired McFarland from the Dodgers on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations and selected his contract from Triple-A Las Vegas.
It's quite the team downgrade for McFarland, but he'll likely take it since he gets to join a major-league roster. The veteran reliever made just three appearances at the big-league level in 2023, allowing one earned run over 1.2 innings with the Mets.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' T.J. McFarland: Receives NRI from Dodgers
Rotowire
McFarland signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
McFarland, 34, spent the bulk of last season in the minors but did get into three games with the Mets. The veteran left-hander will compete for a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day bullpen but will probably begin the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' T.J. McFarland: Joins Orioles on minors deal
Rotowire
McFarland signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The veteran lefty spent the first four years of his big-league career (2013-16) in Baltimore, recording a 4.27 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. Over the last two seasons, he owns a 6.55 ERA at the MLB level, throwing 32.2 frames for the Cardinals last year and just 1.2 for the Mets this season.
... See More... See Less
Mets' T.J. McFarland: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
McFarland cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.
McFarland is no longer on the Mets' 40-man roster but it appears he will remain in the organization. The veteran left-hander has posted a 5.40 ERA over three relief appearances at the big-league level in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Mets' T.J. McFarland: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
The Mets designated McFarland for assignment Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
With Jose Quintana returning from the 60-day injured list, McFarland will be cut loose to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. The 34-year-old lefty pitched just 1.2 innings during his time in New York, allowing one run and striking out two batters. He's been solid in Triple-A, so it's possible another team will claim McFarland off waivers.
... See More... See Less
Mets' T.J. McFarland: Selected to MLB bullpen
Rotowire
The Mets selected McFarland's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
McFarland will get his first look in the majors this year after working to a 2.76 ERA with 37 strikeouts through 32.2 innings of relief at Syracuse. Josh Walker has been optioned out in a corresponding roster move.
... See More... See Less
Mets' T.J. McFarland: Sent to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The Mets reassigned McFarland to minor-league camp Sunday.
The veteran left-hander signed with New York as a non-roster invitee in January but struggled during spring training with six runs allowed over eight innings. McFarland appeared in 28 games for the Cardinals last season and pitched similarly poorly with a 6.61 ERA and 16:11 K:BB in 32.2 frames.
... See More... See Less
Mets' T.J. McFarland: Lands deal with Mets
Rotowire
McFarland signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Tuesday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.
It's unclear whether McFarland has been given an invitation to big-league camp, but it would stand to reason that he probably has. The left-hander stumbled with the Cardinals in 2022, posting an ugly 6.61 ERA across 28 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' T.J. McFarland: Re-ups with Cards
Rotowire
McFarland re-signed Tuesday with the Cardinals on a minor-league contract.
McFarland and the Cardinals parted ways Aug. 15 when he was booted off the 40-man roster, but after assessing his options in free agency, the veteran southpaw chose to stick around in the organization. He'll report to Triple-A Memphis and could get a late-season call-up if the Cardinals have a need for a lefty reliever down the stretch.
... See More... See Less
T.J. McFarland: Let go by Cardinals
Rotowire
McFarland was released by the Cardinals on Friday.
After he was designated for assignment Wednesday, McFarland was released outright two days later. The reliever has produced a 6.61 ERA and 1.62 WHIP with 16 strikeouts over 32.2 frames in 28 appearances with the Cardinals this year. McFarland is now free to sign with whatever team he wants moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' T.J. McFarland: Loses 40-man spot
Rotowire
The Cardinals designated McFarland for assignment Wednesday.
Given that the left-handed McFarland has yielded a .354 average and .542 slugging percentage to opposing left-handed hitters this season, the Cardinals' decision to cut bait with him isn't an overly surprising one. St. Louis summoned Jake Woodford from Triple-A Memphis to replace him in the bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' T.J. McFarland: Reinstated from IL
Rotowire
McFarland (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.
McFarland landed in the league's health and safety protocols in late June but will rejoin the Cardinals' bullpen after spending just under three weeks away from the team. He made three rehab appearances at Triple-A Memphis over the last few days and allowed a hit and no walks while striking out three in three scoreless innings.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' T.J. McFarland: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
McFarland (illness) begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
McFarland struck out one in a perfect inning during Wednesday's outing, and he'll make his second rehab appearance Friday. Assuming the southpaw feels good following Friday's appearance, it seems likely that he'll be back in action in the coming days.
