masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles reliever T.J. McFarland has an ERA of 0.57 in June. That leads American League relievers with at least 10 innings pitched.
He is having a good season for the Orioles, going 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA over 14 games. Now the question is, will he make his second major league start on Tuesday when the O’s need a starter against Texas?
McFarland said he doesn’t know yet.
“I haven’t been reading too much into it,” he said. “I do know that however the next two games play out is possibly a…

Orioles reliever T.J. McFarland has an ERA of 0.57 in June. That leads American League relievers with at least 10 innings pitched.

He is having a good season for the Orioles, going 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA over 14 games. Now the question is, will he make his second major league start on Tuesday when the O’s need a starter against Texas?

McFarland said he doesn’t know yet.

“I haven’t been reading too much into it,” he said. “I do know that however the next two games play out is possibly a factor. We are going to try and win games. I haven’t put much thought into Tuesday or not. Whatever the club decides is the best thing. I have not heard anything and I don’t know anything.”

If he does get the start how much notice would he need or get?

“I’m not sure. Even it if was the day of I still would be ready. Who knows,” McFarland said.

The other question becomes how deep into that game could he even pitch. Over his last four bullpen outings he has thrown two, two, two and one innings, and has not thrown more than 29 pitches.

McFarland did make five starts this year for Triple-A Norfolk, going 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA. His longest outing with the Orioles this season is 4 2/3 innings when he threw 67 pitches on June 8.

“I don’t know (what the pitch limit would be),” McFarland said. “I don’t know what they would look into. No idea.”

He does know this year has gone well for him. He made an adjustment with pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti that has him getting a 2.70 ground-to-air out ratio this month. He’s pitching better than last season when he went 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA as a Rule 5 pick.

“Well, being the second year I’m here, it’s just more comfortable,” McFarland said. “I see hitters I faced last year and am facing hitters I actually got out last year. Just more comfortable being here and seeing guys in the box. And I definitely made an adjustment with Dom and Dave. That has helped me be around the strikezone more and throw more strikes.

“I’ve had some success. Just trying to ride it out and keep it going. I’m not really focusing on what I have done. Just looking to the future and just continue to get outs.”