Needing an extra arm in the bullpen after a taxing four-game series at Fenway Park, the Orioles recalled left-handed pitcher T.J. McFarland prior to the start of a series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.
To make room for McFarland on the 25-man roster, outfielder Steve Pearce was designated for assignment.
A former Rule 5 selection who spent the entire 2013 season on the Orioles’ active roster, McFarland was scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and traveled to Toronto to give manager Buck Showalter more length in the bullpen after lefties Zach Britton and Brian Matusz both pitched on Sunday and Monday. The move temporarily gives the Orioles a 13-man pitching staff and a short bench with shortstop J.J. Hardy still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Even if Hardy continues to avoid the 15-day disabled list, the Orioles could elect to replace McFarland in the next day or two with an extra infielder such as Jemile Weeks to improve their bench depth.
McFarland has a 1.84 earned run average in three starts covering 14 2/3 innings for the Tides this season. He was 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 38 appearances spanning 74 2/3 innings last season.
The 31-year-old Pearce was out of options and had been used sparingly this season, appearing in only three games and going 1-for-7.
