Roark was released by Atlanta on Sunday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Roark was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett after a brief stint in the majors, during which he didn't pitch, and he'll return to free agency after posting a 2.14 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 44:16 K:BB over 46.1 innings for Gwinnett. The veteran right-hander began the season with the Blue Jays and gave up five runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks across seven innings, and he hasn't pitched in the majors since being released in May.
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Braves' Tanner Roark: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
Roark was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.
The veteran right-hander had his contract selected by Atlanta on Thursday, but he didn't make an appearance during his three days with the team. Roark will return to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he has a 3.06 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB across 17.2 innings (eight appearances).
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Braves' Tanner Roark: Contract selected by Atlanta
Rotowire
Roark had his contract selected by Atlanta on Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander inked a minor-league deal with Atlanta after parting ways with Toronto in early May, and he'll receive his first big-league chance with his new organization. Roark posted a 6.75 ERA over 54.2 innings over the past two years for the Blue Jays, but he pitched better at Triple-A Gwinnett since joining Atlanta with a 3.06 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB across 17.2 frames. He could be an option in long relief Thursday with starter Jesse Chavez only expected to pitch 2-3 innings.
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Braves' Tanner Roark: Catches on with Atlanta
Rotowire
Roark agreed Monday with Atlanta on a minor-league contract, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Roark was able to quickly find a new landing spot after becoming a free agent last week when he refused a minor-league assignment to the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo. The veteran right-hander will provide the Atlanta organization with another experienced starting option, but the 34-year-old's time as a capable mid- or back-end rotation arm could well be over. Dating back to the start of the 2019 season, Roark owns a 4.95 ERA (4.91 xFIP), 1.47 WHIP and 13.2 K-BB% over 220 innings.
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Tanner Roark: Becomes free agent
Rotowire
Roark became a free agent Wednesday after clearing waivers.
The veteran righty made two relief appearances after one bad, early-season start for Toronto. Roark, who has been average at best the past four seasons, is unlikely to be more than a spot starter or long reliever on a team in need of innings, that being if he even earns a roster spot elsewhere.
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Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Roark was designated for assignment Friday
The righty was expected to return Saturday from the Family Medical Emergency List. Roark made one uninspiring, early-season start before being moved to the bullpen and pitching better in two appearances.
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Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Away from team
Rotowire
Roark was placed on the Family Medical Emergency List on Friday.
Players may spend between three and seven days on the list, meaning Roark should return sometime next week. Travis Bergen was recalled in a corresponding move.
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Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Shifts to bullpen
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Sunday that Roark will be moved to a long-relief role, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Roark was denied his second start of the season when Sunday's game against the Angels was rained out, and he now looks like he'll be withheld from the rotation until further notice. After being roughed up for five runs in three innings in his first outing April 6 against the Rangers, Roark's grip on a starting job was already beginning to slip, so Sunday's game had shaped up as a critical one for the 34-year-old. Instead, Roark will have to impress in the opportunities he receives in long relief, as the impending return of Robbie Ray (elbow) from the injured list resulted in the veteran righty being bumped from the rotation. Ross Stripling and T.J. Zeuch will hold down the back-end starting roles for the time being, and Roark could be pushed further down the rotation pecking order when Nate Pearson (groin) makes his way back from the IL.
Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Blue Jays-Angels rained out
Rotowire
Roark won't make his scheduled start Sunday after the Blue Jays' game against the Angels was postponed due to inclement weather in Dunedin, Fla.
The two teams plan to make up the game as part of a split doubleheader Aug. 10 at Angel Stadium. Because of the rainout, the Blue Jays could elect to skip Roark's turn and reset their rotation to begin the upcoming week. If that's the case, Roark likely won't pitch until a fifth starter is needed again Aug. 16 in Kansas City.
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Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Knocked around in first start
Rotowire
Roark (0-1) took the loss against the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing five runs on six hits across three innings while striking out two.
Roark didn't yield any walks, but he needed 59 pitches to get through three frames and was stung by the long ball. All five of the runs scored against the right-hander came via homers, as Texas took him deep in the first, second and third innings. This disappointing start to the campaign comes on the heels of a spring slate during which Roark gave up 10 runs across 10.2 innings despite posting an excellent 14:3 K:BB. The 34-year-old will attempt to bounce back in his next start, currently slated for Sunday at home against the Angels.
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Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Encouraging signs this spring
Rotowire
Roark posted an 8.44 ERA and 14:3 K:BB through 10.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring.
The ERA looks scary, but the right-hander's strikeouts were impressive, and he was able to limit both walks and homers (only one allowed), which are more important indicators than how many inherited runners crossed the plate after he left his spring outings. The Jays have yet to lock in their rotation plans to begin the season, but Roark could catch a break by making his first start April 5 in Texas rather than taking the mound in Yankee Stadium during Toronto's opening series.
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Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Looking to regain velocity
Rotowire
Roark averaged 89.1 mph with his sinker during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
A loss of velocity and effectiveness on his two-seamer was a big part of his 2020 struggles, and Roark has made it a priority to avoid a repeat performance. "I just think it got smacked around a little too much last year," Roark said Saturday. "It wasn't moving as much. It was moving very little. Now that I have better feel this year coming into Spring Training and games, I feel like there's no reason I can't have it come back, because I used to have it." His sinker averaged 92.1 mph as recently as 2019, and the right-hander feels he can at least restore the pitch to that level. Roark also changed up his diet in the offseason and lost 10 pounds in an effort to improve his overall fitness. The 34-year-old doesn't have the strikeout upside to be a true fantasy asset, but he could be able to offer some reliable innings in deep formats, especially if the Jays' offense can reward him with wins when he does provide some length.
Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Not on first-round playoff roster
Rotowire
Roark will not be part of the Blue Jays' AL Wild Card roster.
Back-end starters frequently get dropped from the roster for the postseason, and it's no surprise to see that happen to Roark here. He didn't make a very good case for a spot during his 11 starts, as he stumbled to a 6.80 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP.
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Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Throws four innings in shaky outing
Rotowire
Roark allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over four innings Sunday, striking out two in the loss to Baltimore. He did not factor in the decision.
Roark allowed just one run through three innings to start the contest. However, the fourth inning started with an error by Randal Grichuk, and the 33-year-old righty subsequently allowed three runs to cross home. He wasn't very efficient with his four frames of work, throwing only 54 of 91 pitches for strikes. Roark ends his first season as a Blue Jay with a 6.80 ERA in 47.2 innings.
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Blue Jays' Tanner Roark: Rocked for six runs
Rotowire
Roark (2-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees after giving up six runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and zero walks over 4.1 innings.
The veteran right-hander has faced the Yankees in his past three outings, and he took his second loss during that stretch Tuesday. Roark has a 7.01 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 39:21 K:BB through 43.2 innings and lines up for his final start of the regular season in Sunday's finale versus the Orioles.
