Nats go with seven relievers for NLDS (Roark starting Game 2)

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

October 07, 2016, 6:16am

Comments

The Nationals' finalized roster for the National League Division Series includes only seven relievers but six bench players, not to mention several notable names left out altogether.

For their best-of-five series with the Dodgers, the Nationals opted to carry only 11 total pitchers. That leaves a seven-man bullpen of closer Mark Melancon; right-handers Shawn Kelley, Blake Treinen and Reynaldo Lopez; and left-handers Marc Rzepczynski, Sammy Solis and Oliver Perez.

Among those left out of the bullpen were right-handers Matt Belisle and Yusmeiro Petit, plus left-hander Sean Burnett.

This alignment leaves Lopez as the only true long reliever on the roster, putting some added pressure on starters Gio Gonzalez and Joe Ross to avoid early exits.

The six-man bench will feature catcher Jose Lobaton; infielders Stephen Drew, Wilmer Difo and Clint Robinson; and outfielders Chris Heisey and Michael A. Taylor. Taylor's inclusion came as a surprise, given the fact he had been dealing with a swollen left thumb and was not a full participant in Wednesday's workout at Nationals Park.

The most notable names left off the bench were outfielders Ben Revere and Brian Goodwin.

Update: The Nationals also announced that Tanner Roark will start Game 2 tomorrow afternoon, with Gio Gonzalez starting Game 3 on Monday at Dodger Stadium.

Here's the full 25-man roster...

PITCHERS (11): Max Scherzer, Tanner Roark, Gio Gonzalez, Joe Ross, Mark Melancon, Shawn Kelley, Blake Treinen, Reynaldo Lopez, Marc Rzepczynski, Sammy Solis, Oliver Perez

CATCHERS (2): Pedro Severino, Jose Lobaton

INFIELDERS (6): Ryan Zimmerman, Daniel Murphy, Danny Espinosa, Anthony Rendon, Stephen Drew, Wilmer Difo, Clint Robinson

OUTFIELDERS (5): Jayson Werth, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Chris Heisey, Michael A. Taylor