T.J.

McFarland

McFarland went unclaimed on waivers after compiling a lackluster 6.89 ERA across 15 2/3 innings (27 appearances) this season for the Athletics. The 36-year-old southpaw has made 460 appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2013. He should be able to latch on somewhere as extra left-handed relief depth.

McFarland will likely see interest on the waiver wire despite his 6.89 ERA and 1.85 WHIP over 27 appearances. The 36-year-old will be replaced on the A’s roster by Elvis Alvarado.

McFarland missed a little over three weeks with his groin strain. The 35-year-old will be a mid-to-high leverage option in the A’s bullpen now that he’s healthy enough to return to that role.

McFarland hits the shelf after exiting a relief appearance over the weekend against the Yankees with a groin injury. The 35-year-old lefty figures to return to the Athletics’ bullpen mix in a couple weeks.

No word yet on the severity of the injury, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 35-year-old southpaw ultimately require a trip to the injured list. He had faced just one batter — throwing only three pitches in the eighth inning — before exiting. The A’s should have an update on his status on Monday.

McFarland was acquired from the Dodgers prior to the 2024 season and posted a 3.81 ERA over 56 2/3 innings pitched last season. He’ll give the Athletics more veteran bullpen depth in 2025.

The 34-year-old southpaw wasn’t going to crack the Dodgers’ bullpen and was unlikely to accept a minor league assignment, so the Dodgers flipped him for whatever they could get from a team in desperate need of bullpen help. McFarland will now make the A’s Opening Day bullpen where he should be utilized in the middle innings.

The 34-year-old southpaw made just three appearances at the big league level for the Mets in 2023 — posting a 5.40 ERA, 3.00 WHIP and a 2/1 K/BB ratio over 1 2/3 frames. He’ll add bullpen depth from the left side for an incredibly deep and talented Dodgers’ bullpen.

The soft-tossing McFarland opened his career in Baltimore, posting a 4.27 ERA in 121 appearances from 2013-16. He had been with the Mets organization this year, posting a 2.76 ERA in 32 2/3 innings in Triple-A and giving up two runs — one earned — in 1 2/3 innings for the major league team.

McFarland has refused an outright minor league assignment from the Mets after being designated for assignment last week and will test the free agent waters instead. The 34-year-old southpaw has made 354 appearances in the majors dating back to 2013.