According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the A's have re-signed relief pitcher T.J. McFarland on a one-year contract. McFarland posted a 3.81 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with a 17:39 BB:K across 56 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, he carried a stellar 59.4% ground-ball rate and was able to maintain soft contact at a 4.6% barrel rate and a 34.9% hard-hit rate. However, he struggled in generating whiffs, as he posted a mere 16.6% strikeout rate, one of the lowest marks among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should expect McFarland to return to his high-leverage role pitching in the seventh or eighth innings of games, but he will have his save opportunities capped with Mason Miller poised to return to his closer role.
The Oakland Athletics acquired minor-league left-hander T.J. McFarland from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations and selected his contract from Triple-A Las Vegas to their 40-man roster. The 34-year-old southpaw was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the fourth round in 2007 and he has 11 years of major-league experience with five different teams, including the A's back in 2020. McFarland made three appearances out of the New York Mets' bullpen in 2023 and has a career 4.14 ERA (4.20 FIP), a 1.47 WHIP, one save, 154 walks and 279 strikeouts in 474 innings in his 11 major-league seasons. Now with the rebuilding A's, McFarland certainly has a much better chance at contributing at the big-league level again in 2024 now that he's out of LA.
Free-agent reliever T.J. McFarland is staying put after agreeing to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday with a potential $500,000 in incentives, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The 32-year-old was productive out of the Cardinals bullpen last season, posting a 2.56 ERA with just 21 strikeouts and 15 holds over 38 2/3 innings. He was a nice piece in one of the better bullpens in the league last year, a group that posted a 3.97 ERA. McFarland should be given the same role going into next season, barring an injury. However, he doesn't offer fantasy managers much value, except in deep leagues that count holds.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher T.J. McFarland (shoulder) is nearing a return from the 10-day injured list after a bout with shoulder inflammation. It's possible he could be back as soon as Tuesday, as the team designated reliever Matt Koch for assignment over the weekend, and they optioned Jon Duplantier to Triple-A Reno on Sunday after his four-inning scoreless relief effort. The team has yet to announce a corresponding move to that transaction. McFarland is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA across four innings over three innings in a minor-league rehab appearance for the Aces.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher T.J. McFarland was diagnosed with a bone spur on Friday after feeling elbow discomfort. This is a huge relief for the Diamondbacks and McFarland as there is no damage with the UCL in his elbow, resulting in a much shorter recovery period. McFarland has already begun throwing in his recovery. McFarland has had a solid season up to date, pitching to a 2.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 42 K's in 72 innings. McFarland should not be owned in any fantasy leagues.
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced they have non-tendered relief pitcher T.J. McFarland. The lefty struggled with a 5.33 ERA in 54 inning this past season. There is never a shortage for lefties, and he will likely get an invitation to spring training from another club.
T.J. McFarland
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