Orioles recall T.J. McFarland

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

June 24, 2015, 10:54am

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The Orioles made another roster move this afternoon, recalling left-hander T.J. McFarland from Triple-A Norfolk and optioning right-hander Oliver Drake.

McFarland gives the Orioles a long reliever for their eight-man bullpen. He was optioned on June 14, making him eligible to return today without replacing an injured player.

McFarland allowed baserunners in all 10 of his relief appearances with the Orioles despite posting a 1.93 ERA. He walked eight batters in 9 1/3 innings.

The Orioles wanted McFarland to grow more comfortable entering games in the middle of an inning and to raise his arm slot.

"Jim Palmer's got a great way of putting it," manager Buck Showalter said on the day McFarland was optioned. "Trying to get the Ferris wheel going instead of the merry-go-round with his mechanics."

In nine games (seven starts) with Norfolk, McFarland has gone 2-2 with a 3.41 ERA over 34 1/3 innings. He didn't allow a hit over his last two appeareances spanning five innings.

Drake (Navy) didn't appear in a game with the Orioles after being recalled on Sunday. He's allowed three earned runs in 7 2/3 innings in the majors.

Drake has allowed two runs, walked nine and struck out 38 in 23 2/3 innings with Norfolk.

The Orioles will need to create a spot for starter Miguel Gonzalez before Thursday afternoon's game. They could option reliever Mychal Givens, who's warmed up a few times but hasn't appeared in a game since having his contract selected on Saturday.