RADIO
Tanner Roark is finally going to get his crack in the starting rotation for the Washington Nationals on Monday or Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs, according to the Washington Post.
The 28-year-old right-hander got the snub from the rotation once the Nats signed Max Scherzer during the offseason. Roark has been pitching out the bullpen this season with a 2.66 ERA and a 0-2 record.
“Tanner has been the ultimate warrior this year in that he’s just done whatever we’ve asked him to do without comment, without complaint, without any change of attitude,” Nationals Manager Matt Williams told the Washington Post. “He’s taken the ball when he’s been asked, and he’ll do the same when he gets his start.”
Thanks to an injury to Doug Fister’s elbow, Roark is being handed an opportunity to showcase his work in the rotation. Last year, Roark had a Nationals-best 15 wins with a 2.85 ERA 1.092 WHIP. Washington wanted to stretch out Roark a little bit on Sunday when he pitched three innings in relief against the San Diego Padres. He pitched to some live hitters on Friday as well.
“Just to get back on the mound and see some live hitters is always good,” Roark told the Washington Post of of his Friday work. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out there.”
A.J. Cole was a name that could have filled the spot in the rotation, but Roark is getting the first shot. With Fister’s return unknown, Roark could stay in the rotation for a while.
