Colorado Rockies injury news: Chad Bettis heads to the disabled list

The Colorado Rockies rotation, suddenly in a state of flux, will get a familiar face back in its midst on Tuesday night when Antonio Senzatela makes his return to Coors Field. To make room on the active roster, starting pitcher Chad Bettis is heading to the 10-day disabled list thanks to a “hot spot” that developed into a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.

Bettis spoke to our own Jake Shapiro about the injury and his frustration with it on Tuesday afternoon inside the Colorado clubhouse. He will miss his scheduled start on Friday in Seattle.

With that, the Rockies will go with a four-man rotation thanks to off days on Thursday and Monday. On Friday, German Marquez will take Bettis’ spot on the mound and will face Felix Hernandez in the series opener in the Pacific Northwest. On Saturday, Kyle Freeland is scheduled to go against James Paxton in what will be a marquee matchup. Senzatela will then make his second start on Sunday in the series finale against the Mariners.

Senzatela has battled a groin injury this season, an ailment that caused him to be sent to the disabled list while pitching at Triple-A Albuquerque. He was first sent to Triple-A by the Rockies on May 3 and went to the disabled list on May 19. He was activated on May 26.

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While at Triple-A and healthy, Senzatela showed flashes of dominance. The 23-year-old right-hander posted a 3-1 mark and 2.15 ERA in eight starts. Opponents hit .215 against him as he posted a 1.09 WHIP.

Those numbers are a far cry for what he’s done in 10 relief appearances for the Rockies, where’s he gone 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA. The WHIP has jumped to 1.67 and opposing batters are hitting .311.

Senzatela will be starting in place of Jon Gray on Tuesday. Colorado’s Opening Day starter, Gray was sent to Triple-A over the weekend after a disappointing start to his season. Over his last four starts, Gray has allowed four or more earned runs on three occasions.

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This will be the first trip to the disabled list for Bettis since he battled back from testicular cancer last season in one of Major League Baseball’s feel-good stories of the year. So far this campaign, Bettis is 5-1 with a 5.10 ERA. In his last seven games, that ERA number has jumped to 8.15.