Washington Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark will make his first start of the season Monday in Chicago, manager Matt Williams announced Saturday.
The Nationals needed someone to fill the spot in the rotation vacated by Doug Fister, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right flexor muscle strain late last week. The most logical candidate was Roark, who has pitched out of the bullpen this season despite finishing 15-10 with a 2.85 ERA as a starter last year. The mid-season switch is nothing new for Roark, who arrived in the majors as a reliever in 2013 before transitioning to the rotation.