Williams clarifies Roark's new role out of the bullpen

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

April 08, 2015, 1:25pm

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Last season, Tanner Roark won 15 games. This season, he's in the bullpen.

It's not because he lost anything on his fastball. It's just the club signed former Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer for $210 million.

That means the right-hander is now one of the best starting pitchers-turned-reliever in the National League.

He didn't make an appearance in Monday's home opener, so Nationals manager Matt Williams was asked about Roark's role this season.

"It depends on the day," Williams said. "It depends on where we're at. One day, he could be the long guy. If, god forbid, one of the guys gets hit in the shin and can't go, he can certainly fill in in that role. He can come in and pick up an inning and go the next and plus that if we need him to do that.

"That's a luxury to have, certainly, with a guy that has experience going long. And he's got the ability to pitch at the same time, so can we get him in the seventh to get out of an inning when we need to do that, sure. He has the ability to do that."

Williams said Roark is a unique reliever because he comes to the table with 31 starts from last season.

"It's not the traditional bullpen guy where he's coming and throwing 95 mph plus," Williams said. "But he does have a complement of pitches that he uses when he starts. To get everybody out at the same time - he's got the ability to do that.

"So I envision it all over place and it depends on the day."

Williams said Craig Stammen and Roark have the ability to be long relievers if needed. He said the Nats would prefer not to get into that situation early games, but that depends on how the starter does.

Williams said it can hurt the bullpen if he has to bring in a long reliever to early because then he would lose that pitcher for a few days. Left-hander Ross Detwiler had to come in early in games at times last year and then they couldn't use him again for four days. Williams feels this year's bullpen is stronger and gives him more options because of how good a starter Roark was last season.