Baltimore Orioles News: Ashur Tolliver optioned, T.J. McFarland recalled

Sep 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher T.J. McFarland (66) pitches against Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Jays beat Orioles 5 - 1. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher T.J. McFarland (66) pitches against Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Jays beat Orioles 5 - 1. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles have announced that they have optioned pitcher Ashur Tolliver to Norfolk and recalled T.J. McFarland to their major league roster.

When the Baltimore Orioles traded Brian Matusz to the Atlanta Braves, it was for two reasons. The first reason that he was traded was to clear his salary. Another reason was because Baltimore believed that he could be replaced by any number of left-handed options in the minor league system. One of those options is Ashur Tolliver. After a rough outing on Memorial Day, Tolliver has been optioned and long reliever (and fellow lefty) T.J. McFarland has been called up, according to MASN’s Roch Kubatko

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McFarland did well in Norfolk as a starting pitcher in four games (three starts) with a 1.97 ERA in 16 innings. With Baltimore, McFarland has a 4.73 ERA in eight games this season. He is likely the Orioles’ plan B for replacing Matusz as the left-handed specialist (or as Baltimore Orioles fans refer to it, the guy who is designated to get David Ortiz out).

With McFarland, Baltimore adds a reliever capable of pitching multiple innings. That might not seem like much, but considering the state of the starting rotation, McFarland’s ability to go multiple innings and even spot start from time to time has value.

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Manager Buck Showalter suggested that this has to do with who is available in the bullpen for Wednesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.

“It helps to have two guys capable of pitching length, and really three with Dylan,” said Showalter, via MASN Sports. “I said many times we’d like to get Dylan to 60-70 innings this year and healthy. But the two length guys, our bullpen operated its best when we had two guys with length.”

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Tolliver showed some potential during his limited time in the Orioles bullpen. He’s a guy who Baltimore Orioles fans should acquaint themselves with because they’ll be seeing him in the future.