Injuries force reliable Roark back in Nats rotation for now

The Nationals turn to Tanner Roark this afternoon to try to salvage the final game in Cincinnati. It's a fitting role for Roark, who after being relegated to the bullpen is now in a position to play a major part in the Nats' depleted starting rotation.

The 28-year-old Roark was one of baseball's most effective and efficient starting pitchers last season, compiling a 15-10 record with a sparkling 2.85 ERA. He pitched 198 2/3 innings for the Nats in his 31 starts, striking out 138 while walking only 39.

But the blockbuster offseason signing of former American League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer left Roark on the outside looking in. Coming off the season that Roark had in 2014, most major league pitchers would have thrown a fit at being demoted to relief work. Not Roark. He handled the transition to the bullpen admirably and embraced his new role.

Nationals manager Matt Williams has utilized Roark in all types of situations - as an innings-eating long man, in a setup role and even as a closer. The latter was undoubtedly Roark's high point until earlier this week. On May 4, with Drew Storen taxed from heavy work, Roark got the ball in the ninth with the Nats holding a two-run lead against the Marlins. After a ground ball squirted through the infield, Roark was left facing arguably the game's most feared hitter, Giancarlo Stanton, with one on and two outs. After running the count full, Roark whiffed Stanton with a nasty slider to end the game and claim his first career save in front of raucous crowd at Nationals Park. Teammates responded with an ice water bath for Roark, one of the most beloved Nats inside and outside of the clubhouse.

So with Doug Fister forced to 15-day disabled list with right forearm tightness, Williams leaned on Roark to jump back in the rotation. The Illinois native made his first start of the season at Wrigley Field, about 60 miles from his hometown Wilmington, Ill. Not a bad setting, and Roark delivered. With a limited pitch count, he gave the Nats five strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts to claim the 2-1 win.

Roark will get his second start this afternoon against the Reds. He figures to be available for more than the 66 pitches he threw on Monday in Chicago. And it won't be Roark's last start, either. Now that Stephen Strasburg has joined Fister on the DL with neck tightness, Roark should at least become a temporary member of the starting five for the next couple of weeks.