Rockies manager offering veteran pitcher opportunity to reclaim spot in rotation

After Charlie Blackmon retired, Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela became the team's longest-tenured player. He signed with the organization in July 2011 and made his MLB debut in 2017.

The right-hander signed a five-year, $50.5 million deal with the Rockies following the 2021 season, when he posted a 4-10 record with a 4.42 ERA, 105 strikeouts, and 32 walks over 156.2 innings.

He's been a pitcher whose greatest strength has been inducing ground balls, but the biggest issue is he hasn't missed a lot of bats. He posted a 1.84 BB/9 in 2021, the second-best mark in a single season by a Rockies pitcher in franchise history.

The best part of that season was his ability to maintain a sub-4.00 ERA at Coors Field of all places, posting a 3.97 ERA while surrendering only five home runs at altitude. He also strung together nine consecutive quality starts for the team, the second-longest streak in franchise history.

Senza has battled injuries throughout his career, but none more devastating than an ACL tear during the 2022 season while covering first base against the St. Louis Cardinals. His struggles continued with a right elbow strain in May 2023, followed by Tommy John surgery after tearing his UCL.

He hasn’t been the same since

He made three starts toward the end of 2024, posting an 0-1 record with a 6.57 ERA across 12.1 innings pitched.

2025 followed the same pattern: a 4-15 record with a 6.65 ERA across 130 innings, striking out only 73 batters while issuing 47 walks. After being shifted to the bullpen in late August, he showed improvement over seven relief appearances, posting a 2.86 ERA.

He also noticed a velocity spike coming out of the pen, hitting 97-100mph on the gun in September.

The bullpen—perhaps in a long reliever role—would suit him better.

Senzatela will start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Colorado's Cactus League opener Friday afternoon. He'll then join teammate Ezequiel Tovar on Team Venezuela for the World Baseball Classic, which begins March 5.

While the starting rotation might not be in Senzatela's best interest, you can't help but give Schaeffer props for giving the longest-tenured Rockies pitcher another chance to redeem himself.