Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said McFarland (illness) has yet to clear all COVID-19-related protocols and thus hasn't resumed working out, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Marmol noted that McFarland is feeling better since landing on the COVID-19-related injured list Wednesday, so he could be cleared to begin ramping up within the next few days. The lefty reliever posted a 7.43 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB across 26.2 innings this season prior to landing on the IL.

McFarland was placed on the injured list without a designation Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Since the Cardinals didn't provide a reason for placing McFarland on the injured list, he's likely on the COVID-19 IL. Assuming that's the case, the southpaw will be eligible to rejoin the team as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols. His return timetable depends on whether he's tested positive for COVID-19, but right-hander Junior Fernandez was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

McFarland struck out one without allowing a baserunner in 1.1 innings during Monday's 7-5 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland appeared to be set for mop-up work when he entered the game in the sixth inning with the Cardinals down 5-0, but they tied it up in their half of the frame. He got one more out before turning the ball over to Giovanny Gallegos. McFarland has had few bright spots lately, giving up 15 runs and 24 hits across his last 14 innings, but he was effective Monday in his second straight scoreless appearance. The southpaw has a 7.40 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB across 24.1 innings as a low-leverage option this season.

McFarland allowed two hits and struck out one in 1.2 innings during Sunday's 8-0 loss to the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland has given up 12 runs in 13 innings in May, keeping runs off the board in just seven of his 11 appearances. He's posted a 7.23 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB across 18.2 innings in 17 outings overall. Given his inconsistent pitching, the southpaw is likely to be limited to low-leverage assignments.

McFarland allowed five runs on four hits and a walk in one inning during Wednesday's 11-4 loss to the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland was tasked with the eighth inning, entering with the Cardinals down just two runs. He wasn't very effective, allowing the Mets to rally for five runs, capped off by a three-run blast from Pete Alonso before finishing off the frame. McFarland has allowed 10 runs in 7.1 innings in May, and his good start to the year is but a memory now. He owns a 9.00 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 7:5 K:BB and one hold through 13 innings.

McFarland pitched two perfect innings and struck out one in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland entered in a jam in the sixth inning, but he induced a double play to get out of danger without allowing inherited runners from Adam Wainwright to score. McFarland then made quick work in the seventh. This was his first clean outing of the year -- he's allowed five hits and two walks with three strikeouts across five scoreless innings to begin the season. The southpaw figures to stay in a multi-inning role, though he's picked up a hold in four appearances.

McFarland will be on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland's first year in St. Louis went well -- he put up a 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 4-1 record and 15 holds in 38 appearances. The southpaw figures to resume a middle-relief role in 2022. He's been historically strong at limiting home runs, posting a 3.4 GB/FB rate in 2021, though his 3.78 FIP last season suggests he could regress this year.

McFarland re-signed with the Cardinals on a one-year deal Monday.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland was a useful left-handed option out of the bullpen for the Cardinals last season. His excellent 63.7 percent groundball rate helped him to a 2.56 ERA despite a very low 14.6 percent strikeout rate. That lack of whiffs means he's ill-suited for a ninth-inning role, however, as evidenced by his one career save in nine MLB seasons, so he's unlikely to have much fantasy value in most formats.

McFarland posted a 1-0 record and five holds over the nine innings covering his last 10 regular-season appearances.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran also blew a save opportunity and posted a 5.00 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in that span, hinting at occasional trouble. However, McFarland was still mostly impressive throughout that stretch, giving up more than one earned run just once and tossing six scoreless outings as well. The left-hander enjoyed a fantasy-friendly campaign overall that included a 4-1 record, 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 15 holds across 38.2 innings over 38 appearances.

McFarland secured his ninth hold in a win over the Mets on Monday, allowing one hit over a scoreless seventh inning.

EDGE Analysis

McFarland saw action for the fourth time in the last five days, an especially busy stretch during which he's generated three scoreless appearances and three holds overall. The veteran left-hander has boosted his fantasy stock nicely down the stretch, and he's now worked his ERA down to 1.95 following Monday's outing.