Headlines

  • Craig Kimbrel Becomes A Free Agent
  • Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain
  • White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor
  • Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony
  • Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence
  • Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Blue Jays Designate Tanner Roark For Assignment

By Connor Byrne | April 30, 2021 at 10:57pm CDT

The Blue Jays have designated right-hander Tanner Roark for assignment, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet was among those to report. They reinstated outfielder Teoscar Hernandez from the COVID-19 injured list and optioned fellow outfielder Jonathan Davis in corresponding moves.

This certainly isn’t the outcome Toronto expected when it signed Roark to a two-year, $24MM guarantee entering the 2020 season, but the deal will go down as a major mistake for the club. When the former National and Red joined the Blue Jays, he had five seasons of 165-plus innings on his resume and was at least a useful back-of-the-rotation starter. But Roark has been a liability as a member of the Jays, with whom he has recorded a horrific 6.75 ERA/5.26 SIERA with an 18.3 percent strikeout percentage and a 10.0 walk percentage in 54 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old has also seen his average fastball drop from the 92 mph range to below 91 since he signed with Toronto.

Roark threw just seven innings and made one start over three appearances this year for Toronto, and that small workload is damning when considering the injuries the team has dealt with in its rotation. The Jays will now have a week to trade Roark, pass him through waivers or release him. It seems likely they’ll wind up releasing Roark, who carries no appeal on a $12MM salary.

Hernandez, who hasn’t played since April 8, tested positive for COVID on April 13. He went an underwhelming 6-for-29 (five singles and a home run) with 14 strikeouts against no walks before going on the IL, though Hernandez was one of the majors’ top hitters a season ago. The Blue Jays have gone without Hernandez and center fielder/designated hitter George Springer for the vast majority of the season, but both are now back in their lineup.

Share 0 Retweet 13 Send via email0

Newsstand Toronto Blue Jays Transactions Tanner Roark Teoscar Hernandez

Quick Hits: Zimmermann, Voit, Dodgers, Red Sox
Main
Latest On Matthew Boyd
View Comments (62)
Post a Comment

62 Comments

  1. davidk1979

    4 years ago

    Didn’t see that coming good for them

    6
    Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      4 years ago

      Back to Washington on a minor league deal?

      2
      Reply
      • bot

        4 years ago

        Or Cincy. He pitched well there and they prob have more of a need

        Reply
      • BrittinghamSports

        4 years ago

        I didn’t understand that Roark signing when it happened. I know he was coming off a decent year for him but the offseason before that he was considered a release candidate on a bad contract. It made no sense to give Tanner Roark of all pitchers a multi-year contract worth that much money.

        1
        Reply
      • Steve Shapiro

        4 years ago

        Nah….the Phillies always need washed up pitchers.

        Reply
  2. Rangers29

    4 years ago

    Seems like a Francisco Liriano-esque piece for the Astros to stick in a bullpen role going down the stretch. Brad Peacock’s also a good comp.

    1
    Reply
    • goalieguy41

      4 years ago

      Hes all yours. Good luck

      7
      Reply
      • Rangers29

        4 years ago

        Do I have an Astros’ profile pic? Is my name Astros29?

        8
        Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          4 years ago

          You like the Cowboys too, right?

          & – of course – hook ’em horns!
          Because: Texas.

          1
          Reply
        • CluHaywood

          4 years ago

          To be fair, you are responding to someone named Goalieguy

          1
          Reply
        • goalieguy41

          4 years ago

          No I think they are responding to the person who lead this thread. Have a nice day

          2
          Reply
    • HBan22

      4 years ago

      Peacock and Liriano have or at least had way better stuff than Roark. Dude is washed.

      1
      Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      4 years ago

      Roark is absolutely nothing like Liriano. Liriano could be used as a lefty specialist and had a nasty slider. Roark is complete trash.

      5
      Reply
      • Dorothy_Mantooth

        4 years ago

        Tanner can retire and start his own Fantasy Sports site. Can’t you see it now: “I am Mr. Roark, your host, welcome to Fantasy Baseball”. And he can hire Jose Altuve as his partner too.

        1
        Reply
        • Ducky Buckin Fent

          4 years ago

          Quality post, @mantooth.

          Reply
  3. bluejays92

    4 years ago

    Thank god they’ve DFA’d Roark. I’m sure he’s a good guy and all, but ever since they signed him I’ve found myself dreading the games where he’s slated to get the start. I hope he gets picked up somewhere else though and does well.

    8
    Reply
  4. Jbigz12

    4 years ago

    Admit your mistake and cut bait. Not every team will flush their sunk cost away. Good for Toronto.

    15
    Reply
    • C-Daddy

      4 years ago

      I don’t know if it’s fair to call the signing a “mistake.” He had a track record of success and the contract was a bit of an overpay but otherwise reasonable at the time. Saying that it “didn’t work out” is more appropriate.

      11
      Reply
      • smuzqwpdmx

        4 years ago

        Roark was a guy in decline struggling to put up below average results when they got him, who I didn’t expect much from. But so was Marco Estrada. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.

        Reply
    • Murphy NFLD

      4 years ago

      Well at this point with less then a year left, knowing he cant even be counted on for 1 IP at a time and needing the roster spot it only makes sense. While i agree with the move i didn’t think they need a 40 man spot to bring Teo back in

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        4 years ago

        Covid IL acts like clearing an active and 40 man spot. they needed one of each here.

        Reply
  5. Egon Spengler

    4 years ago

    He probably ended up getting the COVID in 2020 and went to the Andrelton Simmons School of Conspiracy Theories and just pretended that it didn’t exist.

    Reply
    • 1984wasntamanual

      4 years ago

      So you have a conspiracy theory about conspiracy theories? I hope you did that intentionally.

      Reply
  6. its_happening

    4 years ago

    Wasn’t a smart signing for the Jays when it went down. One year too many and a slight overpay. But Jays fans reassured us Roark was the innings eater the team needed.

    Hoping for the best for Roark. I would’ve signed that contract too. He and his family are set for life.

    1
    Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      4 years ago

      You’re so boring

      Step 1: say every contract, player, prospect is going to be a huge failure

      Step 2: I ToLd YoU aLl, I wAs RiGHT

      7
      Reply
    • Le Grande Orangerie

      4 years ago

      Premium thread! I get to mute the ‘jimmertee’ account and this troll ‘wereallguests’ account in the same thread.

      1
      Reply
  7. jdgoat

    4 years ago

    Look at that shiny 0.00 ERA as a reliever! Other contending teams, you’re not gonna find that on the market, take on his salary and he’s all yours!

    5
    Reply
    • jdgoat

      4 years ago

      Seriously though how bad do you have to be that your released from a team that currently has two healthy starting pitchers. Hopefully he can bounce back somewhere else, but hopefully that somewhere is as far away from Buffalo/Dunedin/Toronto as possible.

      2
      Reply
      • mlb1225

        4 years ago

        What would the Jays be willing to offer for Tyler Anderson?

        Reply
    • For Love of the Game

      4 years ago

      @Ross Atkins, is that you?

      1
      Reply
  8. johns-11

    4 years ago

    It’s because we wouldn’t let him pitch more than 4 innings… wait it’s because he can’t pitch.

    2
    Reply
    • Mrtwotone

      4 years ago

      Remember, he’s “like a diesel truck.” On the mound.

      Reply
  9. jimmertee

    4 years ago

    Finally.

    Been calling for this for a year. What takes Shapiro and Atkins so long to make good decisions?

    1
    Reply
    • Franx

      4 years ago

      Because they ponied up 24 mil for two seasons and had to at least give him a shot with track record… Every smart major league team would have done the same. Money was too high unfortunately

      7
      Reply
    • terrymesmer

      4 years ago

      I know, right? Shapiro and Atkins assure me they read ALL your comments.

      3
      Reply
    • Le Grande Orangerie

      4 years ago

      Oh look, it’s this troll. First chance to Mute. Adios troll.

      1
      Reply
      • 1984wasntamanual

        4 years ago

        You make a post about muting someone and he’s the troll?

        Reply
  10. solaris602

    4 years ago

    It speaks volumes that TOR makes this move considering their starting staff was shaky even before any injuries factored in.

    5
    Reply
  11. Rsox

    4 years ago

    Roark won’t stay a free agent for long if he does hit the market. A guy who can work as a starter or a reliever who will only have to be paid the prorated league minimum will get signed fairly quick i imagine

    3
    Reply
  12. Dustyslambchops23

    4 years ago

    Interesting timing but ultimately the right move.

    5
    Reply
    • its_happening

      4 years ago

      Nothing interesting about the timing. Could’ve been done a week ago, “interesting timing”. Could’ve been done when Ryu returns, “interesting timing”. If it were interesting you would have elaborated.

      1
      Reply
      • MarkoRock68

        4 years ago

        Why do you feel the need to jump all over people if they have an opinion that differs from yours. Are you like this in real life? ( You must be a very lonely sad person )
        A person with half a brain would know what Dusty was talking about.

        2
        Reply
  13. Grade_1_teacher

    4 years ago

    Good move but about a month late.

    Reply
  14. bucketbrew35

    4 years ago

    Welcome to the Phillies Tanner.

    Reply
  15. MysteryWhiteBoy

    4 years ago

    Maybe the Jays are planning to sign Anibal Sanchez

    2
    Reply
    • Murphy NFLD

      4 years ago

      Woild live them to am i think the jays are Sanchez’ best option when considering playoff chance and the opportunity to start along with the jays going after him a few years back. I believe tho he will most likely go to the fish

      Reply
      • Murphy NFLD

        4 years ago

        Would love for them to sign him and i think the jays are Sanchez’ best option when considering playoff chance and the opportunity to start along with the jays going after him a few years back. I believe tho he will most likely go to the fish

        Reply
    • jdgoat

      4 years ago

      I’ve really talked myself into Anibal Sanchez. If nothing else, he gives them something other than A LHP in the rotation, who won’t cost a lot and can be released if it doesn’t work out. The plan or need to have 2 or 3 bullpen games every couple of weeks just won’t be sustainable for the whole season.

      1
      Reply
  16. JoeBrady

    4 years ago

    This is why some of us were hesitant to cede the ALE to the NYY & TO. Their rotation outside of Ryu is suspect.

    Reply
    • Dustyslambchops23

      4 years ago

      Everyone’s rotation in the ALE is suspect.

      But agreed on anointing any one a clear cut winner. It’s a 4 team race. Luck and health is going to be a big factor

      7
      Reply
    • jaysfansince1977

      4 years ago

      Joe ya need to tell that to Matz and Ray, looking really good behind Ryu

      9
      Reply
  17. DarkSide830

    4 years ago

    Phillies may consider him in a trade matching saleries.

    Reply
  18. dman07

    4 years ago

    This front office is on strike 2 trying to fill the back end of our rotation.
    Strike 1-Jaime Garcia
    Strike 2-Roark
    I think the total of both contracts is over $40 million!

    1
    Reply
    • smuzqwpdmx

      4 years ago

      Garcia only made $10M.

      Reply
    • Taejonguy

      4 years ago

      What? no love for the VERY cheap signing of Ray? When you dig in the dumpster you miss more often than you hit- but it is a beautiful thing when you hit gold.

      1
      Reply
  19. tonyinsingapore

    4 years ago

    Appears to possibly be a classic case of getting paid and quit working hard at your craft.
    Not uncommon, in many industries actually…

    Reply
    • gbs42

      4 years ago

      An extremely presumptuous take. Sometimes players just can’t succeed any more. To attack their commitment and character is insulting.

      2
      Reply
      • LordD99

        4 years ago

        Professional athletes also test off the charts when it comes their competitive levels. Makes sense. To be the best in the world of athletics requires both skill and an exceptional competitive drive to reach the top of their sport. The poster here is telling us nothing about Roark, but he is telling us quite a bit about his personality and how he’d react if he got paid.

        1
        Reply
  20. Mario93

    4 years ago

    Another free agent signing by Atkins, where the jays end up eating the salary. Can’t sign a guy to play for two years for us? Imagine the Springer deal couple years from now. Atkins has a knack for giving guys free retiring money.

    1
    Reply
  21. MarkoRock68

    4 years ago

    A bit of a lesson learn in this case. Back of the rotation starters over 30 with alot of innings on the arm should be buyers beware , a dice roll as to when they will hit the wall and fall of a cliff. In other words not worth multiple years over 10m AAV.

    Reply
    • solaris602

      4 years ago

      Clearly the signing was a mistake – too much money for a guy whose calling card is simply eating innings. Had one arguably solid year in WAS. At least TOR pulled the chain when it was clear Roarke is toast instead of placing him on the IL with a phantom injury.

      Reply
  22. Poster formerly known as . . .

    4 years ago

    It seems to me it would make sense for the Jays to offer to pay as much of his salary as necessary to make a trade rather than just let him walk and eat the remaining money to get nothing in return. Given the way front office analytics departments are enamored of spin rates, the Jays should be able to persuade some front office in need of a fifth starter to take a flier on Roark. His changeup ranks in the sixth tier in StatCast’s Active Spin Leaderboard and his slider ranks 15th. Better to get back even a low-ranked lottery pick than nothing at all, right?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Craig Kimbrel Becomes A Free Agent

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Pablo Lopez To Miss Multiple Months With Teres Major Strain

    MLB To Propose Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System For 2026

    Giants Designate LaMonte Wade Jr., Sign Dominic Smith

    Reds Sign Wade Miley, Place Hunter Greene On Injured List

    Padres Interested In Jarren Duran

    Royals Promote Jac Caglianone

    Mariners Promote Cole Young, Activate Bryce Miller

    2025-26 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: May Edition

    Evan Phillips To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Recent

    Craig Kimbrel Becomes A Free Agent

    Guardians’ Will Brennan, Andrew Walters Undergo Season-Ending Surgeries

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Nats Notes: Nuñez, Chapparo, Williams

    The Orioles’ Long-Term Catching Situation

    Angels Select Shaun Anderson, Designate Garrett McDaniels For Assignment

    Fantasy Baseball: The New CSW Darlings

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version