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Nationals' Roark on starting rotation: 'I'd think I'd be the odd man out'

Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports

Having too many starting pitchers is a rare predicament in Major League Baseball, but that's exactly the problem, albeit a good one, the Washington Nationals are presented with after signing Max Scherzer to a seven-year contract.

Right-hander Tanner Roark appears to be the low man on the totem pole, despite racking up 15 wins and boasting a 2.85 ERA in 31 starts.

"When you sign a caliber guy like Scherzer and me being the fifth guy last year - and I hope everybody stays, which would be great - it's just out of my hands," Roark said. "I'd think Id' be the odd man out unfortunately. It is what it is. I'm glad to be on the team and helping out the team as best as I can. If I get moved to the bullpen, I've done it before and I know I can do it."

Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister should round out the rest of the rotation, which is now regarded as possibly the best group in the bigs. There is, however, a chance general manager Mike Rizzo could deal one of his starters, which would open the door for Roark to assume a spot. 

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