Tanner Roark will start either Monday or Tuesday against the Cubs, Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington reports.

Roark will start either Monday or Tuesday against the Cubs, Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington reports.

Analysis:

A.J. Cole was expected to slot into the rotation in place of Doug Fister (forearm), but apparently Roark is the choice to fill the No. 5 starter role for the time being. A pair of off days allowed the Nats to roll with four starters this week. Roark needed just 37 pitches to get through three innings of relief his last time out, with his lone blemish in that outing being a solo shot given up to the Padres' Justin Upton.