T.J. McFarland Bio
Timothy John McFarland (born June 8, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. A left-handed reliever, he has spent more than a decade in Major League Baseball (MLB) and has pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Mets. Across his career, McFarland has built a reputation as a dependable left-handed option out of the bullpen, known for inducing ground balls and filling middle-inning roles for contending teams.
Early Life and Background
McFarland attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, Illinois, where he played baseball and basketball for four years. As a senior, he recorded 103 strikeouts while walking only 13 batters in 66 2/3 innings pitched, drawing attention from college and professional scouts. He signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Missouri and play college baseball for the Missouri Tigers.
Rather than enroll at Missouri, McFarland chose to begin his professional career after the 2007 draft. He later pursued his education while playing professionally, graduating from the University of Phoenix in 2018 with a degree in business management.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Cleveland Indians selected McFarland in the fourth round of the 2007 MLB draft, convincing him to forgo his college commitment. He spent his early professional seasons moving through the Cleveland farm system, working as a starting pitcher in the minor leagues. While pitching for the Kinston Indians of the High-A Carolina League in 2010, he was named to the Carolina League all-star game, a sign of his development as a prospect.
McFarland continued his climb in 2012, splitting time between the Akron Aeros of the Double-A Eastern League and the Columbus Clippers of the Triple-A International League. That progress positioned him for an unusual route to the majors when the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 2012 Rule 5 draft, giving him his first opportunity in the big leagues.
T.J. McFarland Career
Early Career (2013-2016)
On December 6, 2012, the Baltimore Orioles selected McFarland from the Indians in the Rule 5 draft. After a strong spring training, he earned a spot on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster in 2013. He recorded his first major league win on June 13, pitching an inning of relief against the Boston Red Sox, and made his first career start on June 28 against the New York Yankees. In his first full major league season, he made 38 appearances, all but one in relief.
McFarland earned his first major league win as a starter on July 1, 2014, against the Texas Rangers. In 37 appearances that year, he posted a 4-2 record with a 2.76 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings. He appeared in 30 games for Baltimore in 2015, going 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA, before struggling to a 6.93 ERA in 16 relief appearances during 2016. On February 19, 2017, the Orioles designated him for assignment following the acquisition of Vidal Nuño, and he was released on February 26.
Baltimore Orioles Breakthrough (2013-2014)
McFarland’s breakthrough came quickly in Baltimore. The Rule 5 pick had to remain on the Orioles’ active roster for the entire 2013 season or be offered back to Cleveland, and he answered that challenge by securing a long-term role in the bullpen. His 2014 season cemented his value, as he logged a 2.76 ERA over 58 2/3 innings and established himself as a reliable middle-inning arm.
Arizona Diamondbacks Era (2017-2019)
On March 3, 2017, McFarland signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks and was promoted to the majors on April 27. In 43 games for Arizona, he posted a 4-5 record with a 5.33 ERA and 29 strikeouts across 54 innings. He re-signed with the Diamondbacks on a one-year, $850,000 contract in December 2017.
McFarland enjoyed his best season in 2018, when he posted a career-best 2.00 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 47 appearances. In 2019, he recorded a 4.82 ERA with 35 strikeouts over 56 innings in 51 games before his tenure in Arizona ended.
Oakland Athletics Stint (2020)
On November 4, 2019, the Oakland Athletics claimed McFarland off waivers. In the shortened 2020 season, he pitched to a 4.35 ERA with 9 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings across 20 appearances. He became a free agent after the season concluded.
St. Louis Cardinals Era (2021-2022)
After a brief stint with the Washington Nationals organization in early 2021, McFarland signed a split contract with the St. Louis Cardinals on June 30. His contract was selected to the active roster on July 16, and he spent the rest of the season going 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA in 38 relief appearances. In 38 2/3 innings, he recorded 21 strikeouts and induced 12 double plays, the latter setting a new franchise record after the All-Star break. He was the losing pitcher in the NL Wild Card Game.
McFarland signed a one-year contract to return to the Cardinals on November 8, 2021, but was designated for assignment on August 10, 2022, with a 6.61 ERA in 28 relief appearances. After his release, he was re-signed to a minor league contract and assigned to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. He elected free agency on November 10, 2022.
New York Mets (2023)
On December 20, 2022, McFarland signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets. He pitched to a 2.76 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings over 23 appearances for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets. On June 26, his contract was selected and he joined the active roster. In three major league appearances, he surrendered two runs, one earned, on four hits. On July 14, he was designated for assignment following the activation of José Quintana from the injured list, and he elected free agency on July 18.
Return to Oakland Athletics (2024-2025)
McFarland signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 26, 2024, and was traded to the Athletics on March 26 in exchange for cash. He was added to Oakland’s major league roster and made 79 relief appearances, compiling a 2-4 record with a 3.81 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings. He re-signed with the Athletics on a one-year, $1.8 million contract on November 7, 2024.
Driving Style and Strengths
McFarland is regarded as a left-handed specialist who excels at inducing ground balls and double plays, a skill that became especially valuable during his time in St. Louis. His ability to handle middle-inning duties and record outs against both left-handed and right-handed hitters has defined his longevity in the majors.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of McFarland’s career came in the 2021 NL Wild Card Game, where he surrendered the walk-off hit that ended the Cardinals’ season. He also set a St. Louis franchise record for double plays induced after the All-Star break that same year, a sign of his effectiveness as a ground-ball pitcher.
T.J. McFarland Career Wins
Across his MLB career, McFarland has accumulated wins with the Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks, and St. Louis Cardinals. He has been a steady contributor in relief roles and has recorded key victories in high-pressure situations.
Major League Highlights
McFarland earned his first major league win on June 13, 2013, against the Boston Red Sox while pitching for the Orioles. He later earned his first win as a starter on July 1, 2014, against the Texas Rangers. During his 2021 season with the Cardinals, he went 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA, one of the strongest stretches of his career.
T.J. McFarland Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
McFarland’s family has been supportive of his baseball career, and he has spoken about balancing professional baseball with family responsibilities. He and his wife, Jenna, married in 2016.
Personal Life
McFarland and his wife, Jenna, welcomed their first child, a son, in November 2021. He has emphasized the importance of family life alongside his career in professional baseball.
2025 Season Performance
McFarland entered the 2025 season coming off a strong 2024 campaign with the Oakland Athletics, where he had posted a 3.81 ERA across 79 relief appearances. His one-year, $1.8 million contract signed in November 2024 reflected the Athletics’ confidence in his ability to handle a middle-inning role.
However, the 2025 season proved more difficult. He made 27 appearances for the Athletics, pitching to a 6.89 ERA with seven strikeouts across 15 2/3 innings. On June 27, 2025, he was designated for assignment, and he was released after clearing waivers on July 4.
Following his release, McFarland became a free agent, opening the door for potential opportunities with another organization. His prior track record as a ground-ball specialist and his success in 2024 may position him as a candidate for a minor league deal as the season progresses.