McFarland cleared release waivers Sunday and was released by the Orioles, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw was released after he cleared his second set of waivers with the Orioles on Sunday, and now he will enter free agency. It's likely Baltimore will try to bring him back on a minor league deal, but they will be competing with the other 29 teams in doing so.

McFarland cleared outright waivers Friday and will now be placed on release waivers, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

If the southpaw is able to clear this second set of waivers, the Orioles will likely try to sign him for less than the $685,000 he is owed. After agreeing to a one-year contract earlier this winter, Baltimore released McFarland to make room for the signing of Vidal Nuno last week. As of now, he faces an uncertain future, but could certainly compete for a bullpen role on a variety of teams.

McFarland was designated for assignment Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

This move was made by Baltimore to create room on their 40-man roster for the newly acquired Vidal Nuno. McFarland battled knee injuries and struggled during limited action with the big club in 2016, as he threw for a 6.93 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over just 24.2 innings (16 games).

McFarland is a candidate to temporarily replace Chris Tillman (shoulder) in the O's rotation to open 2017, SB Nation reports.

EDGE Analysis

Initial reports suggest Tillman won't be on the shelf long, but the left-handed McFarland could have a chance to put himself on the team's radar for more starts later in the year. He's made 121 appearances in his four-year career (4.27 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 198.1 innings), yet only two of those outings have been as a starter. McFarland has experience in a rotation, though, as he started 129 games in the minors since 2008. The 27-year-old McFarland will be the underdog in the position battle against Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson.

McFarland agreed to a one-year, $685,000 deal with the Orioles on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Orioles will bring back the lefty long reliever on a discount for 2017. McFarland was shuttled between Triple-A Norfolk and the Orioles in the early portion of the season before suffering a knee injury shortly before the All-Star break. He was not particularly sharp during his stops with the Orioles, however, notching a 6.93 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP over 24.2 innings. Aside from closer Zach Britton, the Orioles only have Jayson Aquino in the bullpen in terms of left-handed options, which aids McFarland's chances at breaking camp with the team.

McFarland was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland had been designated for assignment Sunday, but the procedural change to being optioned will keep the left-handed reliever on the 40-man roster. He's struggled to the tune of a 6.93 ERA in the majors this season, but he could get another shot in a low-leverage role in the bullpen down the stretch run once rosters are expanded in September.

McFarland was designated for assignment Sunday, Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland owns a regrettable 6.93 ERA at the Major League level this season, so the team decided Sunday that both Tommy Hunter and Oliver Drake would be better suited to provide the organization with bullpen depth.

McFarland (knee) was activated from the disabled list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland, who was placed on the DL on June 30, is back with the big club after finishing a five-game rehab assignment. Over 8.1 innings, McFarland allowed six runs off 11 hits. His performance with the Orioles hadn't been much better before getting injured, as he owns a 5.63 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. In a corresponding move, Logan Ondrusek was designated for assignment.

McFarland (knee) was considered for activation Thursday before the Orioles called up reliever Logan Ondrusek, MASN Sports reports. McFarland threw a scoreless inning at Double-A on Thursday and the plan is for him to throw again Friday.

EDGE Analysis

At this point, it looks like the Orioles may wait until rosters expand to activate McFarland. He has made five rehab appearances at Double-A with very mixed results, including three scoreless innings while allowing just a walk, and four hits -- including two home runs -- allowed while retiring one batter. He needs to be effective at Double-A before the Orioles decide to bring him back.

McFarland (knee) will pitch Monday at High-A Frederick for three innings during his rehab assignment, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland has been dealing with this injury for a while, originally getting a cortisone shot in mid-May and recently landing on the DL on June 30. Prior to his outing Monday, McFarland tossed three scoreless innings with the GCL Orioles on Wednesday, only allowing one walk while adding a strikeout. He is still on schedule for his expected return around the end of the month.