T.J. McFarland, Relief Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
Date of Birth: 6/8/1989
Birthplace: Palos Hills, Illinois
T.J. McFarland, relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, was first drafted in 2007 by the Cleveland Indians. He was a starting pitcher in the Indians' minor league system from 2008 through 2012.
The Baltimore Orioles acquired McFarland in December, 2012, in the Rule 5 draft. He pitched in a career high 38 games, primarily as a relief pitcher, with the Orioles in 2013. He had 4 wins to 1 loss, a career high 58 strikeouts to 28 walks, and a 4.22 ERA in 74.2 innings. In 2014, he had a career low ERA of 2.76 in 58.2 innings in 37 games.
In 2016, McFarland spent time on the DL with a knee inflammation. He pitched in 16 games and he had a 6.93 ERA.
The Orioles released McFarland on February 24, 2017. The Arizona Diamondbacks signed him on March 3rd. He finished the 2017 season with 4 wins and 5 losses, 29 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a 5.33 ERA in 43 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.
McFarland pitched in 47 games in 2018. He had 2 wins and 2 losses, 1 save, 42 strikeouts to 22 walks, and a 2.00 ERA in 72.0 innings.
McFarland spent time on the DL in 2019 with left shoulder inflammation. He finished the season with a 4.82 ERA in 56.0 innings in 51 games.
The Oakland Athletics claimed McFarland off waivers on November 4, 2019. He pitched in 23 games in 2020, and he finished the season with 2 wins and no losses and a 4.35 ERA in 20.2 innings.
McFarland became a free agent on October 28, 2020. He signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on February 17, 2021. He was released on June 29th. He signed a minor league contract with the Cardinals on July 1st. He finished the 2021 season with 4 wins and 1 loss, 21 strikeouts to 9 walks, and a 2.56 ERA in 38.2 innings in 38 games. In the postseason, he gave up no hits and 1 run in 0.2 innings in 1 game.
Career pitching statistics for McFarland through 2021 include:
- 323 games played
- 439.2 innings pitched
- 24-15 win-loss record
- 261 strikeouts to 142 walks
- 3.95 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - T.J. McFarland
ESPN - T.J. McFarland