Former Dodgers, Mets pitcher announces immediate retirement at 36

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24 March 2026 at 01:31

T.J. McFarland, who pitched for five teams in a 13-year career in MLB, announced his immediate retirement in an Instagram post March 23.

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“After 18 seasons, it’s time to close this chapter of my life,” McFarland wrote on Instagram. “Walking away is emotional. Baseball has been part of my identity since I was a kid. But I step into this nxt chapter with gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead, especially the time I now get to be fully present with the people who made all of this possible and most importantly, my two boys.”

McFarland pitched for the Baltimore Orioles (2013-16), Arizona Diamondbacks (2017-19), Oakland A’s (2020, 2024-25), St. Louis Cardinals (2021-22), and New York Mets (2023). He retires with a 26-20 record and 4.18 ERA (100 ERA+) in 460 MLB games.

McFarland was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the A’s in March 2024, allowing him to end his career in West Sacramento when he was released last summer.

McFarland led the American League in appearances (79) in 2024, when he went 2-4 with a 3.81 ERA across 56.2 innings for Oakland.

A fourth-round draft pick by Cleveland in 2007, McFarland joined the Diamondbacks in the 2012 Rule 5 draft. He debuted in 2013, but did not pitch in the postseason until the 2020 American League Division Series with the A’s.

McFarland’s last postseason appearance was also his most forgettable.

Called on to pitch the ninth inning of a National League Wild Card Game at Dodger Stadium with the score tied 1-1, McFarland walked Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger with two outs.

Right-hander Alex Reyes relieved McFarland and promptly allowed a two-run home run to Chris Taylor — ending the Cardinals’ 2021 season.