T.J. McFarland pitched two scoreless innings of relief on Sunday night against the Yankees.

McFarland won an Opening Day roster spot with the Orioles as a Rule 5 pick, and has yet to allow a run in his two appearances. He has eight strikeouts in just five innings to start the season and could pitch himself into higher-leverage situations eventually.

Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland has won a spot on the Orioles' Opening Day roster.

McFarland, 23, posted a 4.70 ERA and 10/4 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings during Grapefruit League action. The Orioles are expected to use the southpaw as a multi-inning reliever, likely in lower-leverage situations.

Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland struck out six in four perfect innings of relief Friday against Manatee Community College.

With Chris Tillman set to start off on the DL, the Orioles are expected to carry eight relievers initially, with McFarland getting one of the spots. We're not sure how they'll manage to hang on to him beyond that -- they have about 15 pitchers more deserving of roster spots -- but it looks like they'll make the effort.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland stood out among those that threw bullpen sessions Wednesday.

"He was impressive," Showalter said. "It's kind of nice. You see so much tape of these guys coming in and you read so many reports, and to be able to actually see them live, it's always a different look. Quickly, you can see why he's had success, the deception he has in his delivery." While it's good that McFarland has fared well early on in camp, the reality is that he held an uninspiring 4.03 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 96/45 K/BB ratio across 163 innings between Double- and Triple-A last season. He's competing for a rotation spot but will be lucky to win a long relief role.