Roark played one season with the Southern Illinois Miners of the independent Frontier League in 2008. In 3 games, he was 0–2 with a 21.41 ERA. In just 9.2 innings, he gave up 23 hits along with 25 runs while striking out 11.[2]
Texas Rangers
Roark was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round of the 2008 MLB draft.[3] He began his professional career with the rookie ball AZL Rangers, and also appeared with the Single-A Bakersfield Blaze. In 2009, Roark split the year between Bakersfield and the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, pitching to a cumulative 11-1 record and 3.02 ERA with 100 strikeouts. He was assigned to Frisco to begin the 2010 season.[4]
In 2011, he was promoted to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, and posted, in 28 games (26 starts) an unremarkable 6–17 record, but he posted a 4.39 ERA with 7.9 strikeouts and 2.9 walks per nine innings. He began the 2012 season in Syracuse as a starter, then joined the bullpen for 20 relief appearances. Roark moved back to the rotation and had the best stretch of his career, allowing only 12 earned runs over 48+2⁄3 innings in eight starts.[6]
On August 6, 2013, Roark was called up to the MLB for the first time,[7] and on the next day pitched two innings of scoreless relief, allowing only one hit. By the end of August he had appeared in nine games in relief, allowing earned runs only twice, and compiling an ERA of 1.19 over 22+2⁄3 innings. On September 7, Roark made his first major league start against the Miami Marlins, pitching six innings, allowing no runs and four hits, no walks, and four strikeouts, getting the win.[8] Roark's dominance continued with a September 17 start against the rival Atlanta Braves in which he pitched seven innings and allowed no runs on just three baserunners. His ERA dropped to 1.08 in 41+2⁄3 innings.[9] He finished 7–1 in 14 games (5 starts).[10]
On April 26, 2014, Roark threw his first career complete-game shutout (with a perfect game until the 6th), allowing only 3 hits in a 4–0 win over the San Diego Padres. In 31 starts, Roark finished 15–10 with a 2.85 ERA in 198+2⁄3 innings.[10]
Roark with the Nationals in 2018
In 2015, Roark was shifted to the bullpen after the team acquired a few starting pitchers. In 40 games (12 starts), Roark finished 4–7 with an ERA of 4.38 in 111 innings.[10]
Roark was added back to the starting rotation in 2016, and he responded by establishing a career bests in wins (16), ERA (2.83), innings (210) and strikeouts (172).[10] Additionally, he gave up the lowest percentage of hard-hit balls (24.3%) of any qualified starter that year.[11]
In 2017, Roark went 13–11 despite posting a career-worst 4.67 ERA in 32 games (30 starts).[10] He struck out 166 batters in 181+1⁄3 innings.
In 2018, Roark went 9–15 with a 4.34 ERA in 180+1⁄3 innings.[10]
Cincinnati Reds
On December 12, 2018, the Nationals traded Roark to the Cincinnati Reds for Tanner Rainey.[12] On January 11, 2019, the Reds signed Roark to a one-year contract worth $10 million, avoiding arbitration.[13]
In 2019, Roark went 6–7 with a 4.24 ERA in 110.1 innings (21 starts) prior to being traded to the Oakland Athletics on July 31, 2019.
Oakland Athletics
On July 31, 2019, the Reds traded Roark to the Oakland Athletics for Jameson Hannah.[14] In 2019, he allowed the highest line drive percentage of all major league pitchers (17.1%).[15] He became a free agent following the season.
Toronto Blue Jays
On December 18, 2019, Roark signed a two-year contract worth $24 million with the Toronto Blue Jays.[16] With the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays, Roark appeared in 11 games, compiling a 2–3 record with 6.80 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 47+2⁄3 innings pitched.[17]
Roark pitched to a 6.43 ERA in three games for Toronto in 2021, allowing seven runs in as many innings, before being designated for assignment on April 30, 2021.[18] On May 3, the Blue Jays released Roark.[19]
Atlanta Braves
On May 11, 2021, Roark signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[20] On June 24, Roark was selected to the active roster.[21] After posting a 2.14 ERA in 24 appearances (three starts) for the Gwinnett Stripers, Roark elected free agency on September 5 when he was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.[22]
International career
He was selected Team USA at the 2017 World Baseball Classic as a replacement for Max Scherzer. Roark pitched in relief versus the Dominican Republic, throwing 41 pitches over 1+1⁄3 innings, allowing two earned runs. Roark started vs Japan in the 2017 WBC semifinals. Roark, who described it as the biggest start of his career, threw 48 pitches over four complete innings, allowing no runs. Under an agreement between Team USA and the Nationals, Roark was limited to no more than 50 pitches. Team USA defeated Japan 2–1 for their first win in WBC semifinal history. Team USA manager Jim Leyland praised Roark's performance post-game saying, "The key tonight, without question, was Tanner Roark."[23]
Pitching style
Roark's main pitch was a sinker at 92 mph (topping out at 96). He also featured a slider at 85 mph, which he primarily uses against right-handed hitters. Against lefties, he mixed in a curveball at 77 mph and a changeup at 82 mph. He also had a little-used four-seam fastball at 92 mph.[24]
Personal life
Roark has a daughter and son. Roark divorced his wife Amanda in 2021, as seen on his social media page.[25]
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