Colorado Rockies: What Monday’s roster moves mean

By Kevin Henry | Apr 15, 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Drew Butera #16 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the dugout with teammates after scoring during the eighth inning of the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

On Monday, before starting a two-game series in San Diego against the Padres, the Colorado Rockies made a series of roster moves.

The Colorado Rockies selected catcher Drew Butera and recalled outfielder Noel Cuevas from Triple-A. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Antonio Senzatela was reinstated from the 10-day injured list To make room for all of these moves, right-hander Yency Almonte and outfielder Yonathan Daza were optioned to Triple-A while catcher Chris Iannetta placed on 10-day injured list with a right lat strain.

That’s a lot of movement. So what does it all mean for the team?

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First, it means that Senzatela will be Colorado’s starter on Monday for the opener against the Padres. He’s taking the place of Tyler Anderson in the rotation as Anderson is on the injured list with knee inflammation. Last season, Senzatela was 4-5 with a 3.95 ERA as a starter but 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA coming out of the bullpen. Opponents hit .254 against him as a starter and .311 as a reliever.

Additionally, it sounds as if when Anderson returns, he will take his place in the rotation as Chad Bettis is being moved to the bullpen.

Second, it means that Iannetta, who has posted a .207 average this season and has struck out 11 times in his last 20 at-bats, will get a break. Butera was used sparingly by the Rockies during his 2018 stint with the team, getting just 14 at-bats. Don’t be surprised if he gets more usage now, splitting time with Tony Wolters behind the plate. Butera is a career .201 hitter so don’t expect a lot from him at the plate.

Cuevas, however, could provide some much-needed pop for the Rockies in their lineup. He hit for the cycle with the Triple-A Isotopes and was hitting .402 in 42 at-bats so far this season in Albuquerque. Last season with the Rockies, he received 145 at-bats and posted a .233 average. Could a year of maturity from Cuevas provide Colorado with some additional strength in the lineup? He gets the start on Monday night so we will get a glimpse very soon.

Next. Maybe CarGo and DJ meant more to the Rockies than we knew. dark

With a 4-12 mark to start the season, the Rockies needed to shake things up somehow coming into San Diego to try to get back on track. Could this be what Colorado needed? We will find out on Monday night.

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