The Washington Nationals were not planning on starting a rookie against the New York Mets, but that is how things worked out. Tanner Roark will be getting his start in his second year in the major leagues after Ryan Zimmermann came down with the flu after putting together an impressive spring training. The pitcher put together a 0.50 ERA in 18 innings during the spring, giving the Nationals hope at a top rotation this season.
Instead, Roark will take the mound on Thursday against New York. In his rookie season, the right-hander went 7-1 with a 1.51 ERA in 14 games. He struggled a bit in the spring with a 3.29 ERA in 13 innings while playing in four games. The Nationals are hoping to get their first season sweep and will need Roark to improve on his first start against the Mets where he gave up just two runs in six innings.
Washington's bats have been alive so far this season. Ian Desmond homered on Wednesday while Jayson Werth put up four hits in the game. The issue could come with injuries. Wilson Ramos is now expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing surgery for a broken bone in his left hand. Losing Ramos means Jose Lobaton steps up as the catcher while the team recalled Sandy Teon from Triple-A to help with depth.
The Mets are no stranger to injuries. The team has officially lost Matt Harvey for the season after he underwent elbow surgery. Now the team will hope Zach Wheeler can emerge as a top starter in his second season in the major leagues. The right-hander went 7-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 17 starts as a rookie, but he did drop his last three of four decisions to end the year. He was roughed up by Washington in spring, giving up five earned runs in just over two innings pitched. The Mets need Wheeler to step up and put together a quality star considering they also lost closer Bobby Parnell for the season as well.