The Toronto Blue Jays are shifting pitcher Tanner Roark to the bullpen to clear a rotation spot for Robbie Ray, who will make his season debut against the New York Yankees on Monday.
Roark was scheduled to start for the Blue Jays on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, but the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Dunedin, Fla. He struggled mightily in his first start of 2021, surrendering five runs to the Texas Rangers in three innings of work on April 6.
The 34-year-old is in the final season of a two-year contract with the Blue Jays. He posted a 6.80 ERA in 11 starts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.
Ray put together a strong spring training, as evidenced by his 1.98 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 13.2 innings. He suffered an elbow injury in late March, preventing him from breaking camp with the Blue Jays.
In other injury news, prized off-season acquisition George Springer is still without a timetable for a return from his quad issue.
George Springer (quad) has yet to take any live bp. No timetable set for a possible return.
— Ben Wagner (@benwag247) April 11, 2021
Toronto is 4-5 through its first nine games of the season.
