BIOGRAPHY
T.J. McFarland was born June 8, 1989, in Palos Hills, Illinois. He is a pitcher in the MLB.
After spending the 2012 season with the Akron Aeros of the Class AA Eastern League and the Columbus Clippers of the Class AAA International League, the Baltimore Orioles selected McFarland from the Indians in the 2012 Rule 5 draft. After a strong spring training, he was named to the Orioles' Opening Day roster. The Orioles traded fellow relief pitcher Luis 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 the Boston Red Sox. He made his first career start on June 28 against the New York Yankees. 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 the Texas Rangers.
On November 4, 2019, McFarland was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics. In 2020 for Oakland, McFarland pitched to a 4.35 ERA with 9 strikeouts over 20.2 innings pitched in 20 appearances.
On June 30, 2021, McFarland signed a split contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, 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. He spent the remainder of the season with St. Louis, going 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA in 38 relief appearances. In 38.2 innings pitched, McFarland recorded 21 strikeouts and 12 double plays, the latter of which set a new franchise record after the All-Star break.
