T.J. McFarland

Timothy John McFarland

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 190 lb.
• School Amos Alonzo Stagg High School (Palos Hills)
• Debut April 6, 2013

• Born June 8, 1989 in Palos Hills, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Pitcher T.J. McFarland was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 4th round in 2007. He was signed by scout Mike Soper and made his professional debut with the GCL Indians in 2008 and pitched in the team's organization until 2012, when he made 17 appearances for the AAA Columbus Clippers after starting the season in AA with the Akron Aeros. He was a combined 16-8, 4.03 in 163 innings that season. When the Indians failed to place him in their major league roster following the season, he was taken by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2012 Rule V Draft.

McFarland showed some lively stuff in spring training for the Orioles in 2013, and the team decided to keep him on the roster at the start of the season, fearing that they would lose him to another team if they attempted to place him on waivers in order to send him to the minors. He began the season as a long reliever, making his first appearance on April 6th, when he relieved Chris Tillman in the 4th inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins. The Orioles were already trailing 5-2 at that point, but he kept them in the game with a solid performance, throwing 3 1/3 innings during which he allowed only one hit, striking out five and walking none. His outing allowed the Orioles to come back and tie the score, although they lost the game, 6-5, in the 9th inning.

McFarland was designated for assignment by the Orioles on February 20, 2017, a consequence of the O's having acquired Vidal Nuno in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers the same day. He was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks a few days later and was used in his familiar long relief role by his new club. On August 20th, however, he was pressed into making a spot start against the Minnesota Twins, his first starting assignment since 2014. It did not go well, as he only lasted a third of an inning and being charged with seven runs as Minnesota had a nine-run 1st inning on its way to a 12-5 win.

Related Sites

• T.J. McFarland on mlb.com