Tanner Roark unaffected by relegation from Nats rotation
Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark has been demoted from the team's rotation, in large part due to the addition of Max Scherzer, but he doesn't seem to mind it.
"I mean, it doesn’t matter, honestly. I love to start and now I've done back-and-forth relief. I just like being out there on the mound, competing," he told 106.7 The Fan, per CBS DC.
Roark, who has been pitching in relief for the Nationals this season, got his first spot start of the season on Monday and proved he can still start if need be, allowing three hits and one earned run in five innings of work.
The 28-year-old righty impressed the Nationals last year by going 15-10 with a 2.85 earned run average and 138 strikeouts in 31 starts in his first full year in the majors.
He's now been put on the backburner as a starter, but is more focused on helping the Nats win games.
"I enjoy baseball and I like my job," he said. "I feel like I'm lucky, and you come here to do your job and win a World Series. No matter how we do it, and whether I'm starting or relieving, it doesn't matter. I just want to win a World Series.
"As much as I can, to get the team outs, get us back in the dugout and score us runs—that's the ultimate goal."
(h/t CBS DC)
