Nationals select right-hander Roark from Triple-A Syracuse, option left-hander Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse

The Washington Nationals today selected right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and optioned left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse. Additionally, the Nationals transferred left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler to the 60-Day Disabled List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Roark went 9-3 with two saves, four holds and a 3.15 ERA in 33 games/11 starts this season with the Chiefs. He ranks among qualified International League pitchers in WHIP (0.99, first), batting average against (.217, tied for first) and earned run average (seventh), while posting a 4.2/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (84 K/20 BB) in 105.2 innings. Roark tallied an 8-1 record with two saves and a 1.55 ERA (14 ER/81.1 IP) in his last 25 games/eight starts, beginning May 6. In 22 relief appearances with Syracuse in '13, Roark posted 8.5 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (39 K/41.1 IP) with a 2.40 ERA and .178 BAA. The 26-year-old stranded 10 of 11 inherited runners out of the 'pen. Roark is 49-40 with three saves, 13 holds and a 3.79 ERA in 163 games/96 starts during six seasons in the Nationals (2010-13) and Texas Rangers ('08-10) organizations. He was acquired by Washington in a three-player trade that sent shortstop Cristian Guzman to Texas on July 31, 2010. Cedeno, 26, has not allowed a run in two relief appearances (1.1 innings pitched) with Washington. He is 0-0 with a 9.39 ERA in seven relief appearances this season with the Nationals and Houston Astros.