Colorado Rockies pitching news: Austin Gomber draws Sunday start

After debating which pitcher would earn the final start before the All-Star break, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black has announced that Austin Gomber will take the hill on Sunday in the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pitching news: Austin Gomber will get the start for the Colorado Rockies over Antonio Senzatela on Sunday

Since being reinserted back in the rotation on July 2, Gomber has posted a 2-0 mark and 4.32 ERA. In his last outing on July 12 at Coors Field against the San Diego Padres, the southpaw scattered six hits over six innings and allowed just one run to pace the Rockies to the victory.

There were some questions, however, about if Gomber would keep that momentum going and get another start before the All-Star break with fellow starter Antonio Senzatela ready to come off the injured list after battling through right shoulder inflammation. However, Black said that keeping Gomber in his recent rhythm was important.

“We felt he is coming off a couple of good starts,” Black said. “Senzatela is ready as well, but we decided as a coaching staff to pitch Austin and Senza will get a little extended break from Tuesday (his last start with Triple-A Albuquerque) to Sunday and then he will pick up after the (All-Star Game) break somewhere.”

Black added that Senzatela (3-5, 4.95 ERA) would likely not be activated before making his next start, meaning the Rockies will not need to make another roster move related to their rotation until after the All-Star Game.

Senzatela has not pitched for the Rockies since lasting just two innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks before leaving the game with the shoulder issue.

Additionally, Black did not reveal what the Colorado rotation will look like when the Rockies resume play on Friday in Milwaukee to kick off a four-game series against the Brewers. That will begin a stretch where the Rockies will not have an off day again until August 8.