Will Antonio Senzatela return to the rotation after the All-Star break?

Antonio Senzatela was moved to the bullpen more than two weeks ago.

Antonio Senzatela made his last start on June 22 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He only went five innings and gave up nine runs on eight hits so Rockies’ manager Bud Black decided to make the move to Senzatela to the bullpen to lessen his workload.

Senzatela’s start to the season

In his first seven starts of the season (through May 9), Senzatela went 5-1 with a 2.86 ERA and average 6 1/3 innings a start. His opponent’s only had a batting average of .228, an on-base percentage of .284, a slugging percentage of of .386, a BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play) of .239.

A rocky eight starts

His following eight starts (up until he was removed from the starting rotation), he went 4-2 with a 6.70 ERA and he averaged a little less than 5 2/3 innings per start. His opponent’s slash line was .286/.349/.520, and a BABIP of .311.

More from Rox Pile

• A Colorado Rockies Thanksgiving
• Colorado Rockies: What if Todd Helton had played football instead?
• Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the season
• Colorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers series
• Colorado Rockies: Has Sean Bouchard earned a second look in 2023?

Injuries

In 2016, he only made seven starts at Double-A Hartford because he was out because of two separate DL stints with shoulder inflammation. The final stint was from June through the end of the season.

Return to the rotation

Senzatela has been effective in the bullpen as in five innings, he has only allowed one run and one hit but Bud Black was quoted in Denver Post that he has used him sparingly (three times in 14 games) because of the situations that the Rockies have been in (they are 3-12 in their past 15 games) but it has given “a nice break.” However, after the All-Star break, Black did confirm that he plans on moving Senzatela back to the rotation. Also, as long as everything goes well, Chad Bettis will be joining Senzatela in the rotation soon so Bud Black will have to move some arms around.

Next: The Trade Value of every Rockies outfielder

Final Thoughts

A relative break for Senzatela can only help him and he has proved that in his bullpen appearances so the move back to the rotation should not be an issue. Also, if he stays on pace with his current innings load, he is on track to be at 144 2/3 innings pitched at the end of the regular season, which is a good number for a rookie season and a season of recovery after shoulder issues