ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Lefty reliever T.J. McFarland will return to the St. Louis Cardinals next year after a stellar 2021 half-season. The team announced they have signed the free agent pitcher to a one-year contract.
McFarland, 32, had a resurgence in the St. Louis bullpen after being signed in July. He was a free agent after being released from a minor league contract with the Nationals in March.
He had a 2.56. ERA in 38.2 innings, struck out 21 and walked only nine batters in a middle-relief role in the second half of the season. He was signed by St. Louis to fill much-needed gaps caused by injuries in both the bullpen and starting rotation.
He's designed to pitch with a solid defense behind him, as nearly two thirds off all balls put in play off him are grounders (63.4% career ground ball rate is sixth-highest among all relievers since 1987). Nearly the entire Cardinals infield won Gold Gloves in 2021.
Also, he was the pitcher on the mound for what was likely the team defensive play of the year for the Cardinals – who had the best defense in baseball:
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The Palos Park, Ill. native has made 323 career appearances between Baltimore (2013-16), Arizona (2017-19), Oakland (2020), and St. Louis (2021) over his nine-year Major League career.
Only Zack Britton, at 76.5% has a better ground ball percentage among active relievers. McFarland's career 1.38 GIDP/9 IP ranks 6th-highest among relievers since 1974, and ties Brandon Kintzler for highest among active relievers.
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