The Rockies have used seven starting pitchers this season, , and Colorado manager Bud Black will not drop the juggling act.
Rookie right-hander Antonio Senzatela, a 22-year-old wunderkind who jumped from Double-A into the rotation to start the season, will likely return to a Colorado starting role soon after the all-star break next week, Black said Friday.
“We like him. I’m a Senzatela fan,” Black said. “And you can look for him after the all-star break. In baseball. Potentially.”
Senzatela cruised to a 7-1 record and a 3.19 ERA through the first seven weeks, peaking with an outing of eight scoreless innings against the Cardinals at on May 26. But after a loss to the Diamondbacks on June 22, as he fell to 9-3 with a 4.79 ERA, the Rockies pressed pause.
They moved Senzatela to the bullpen to preserve his arm. With Double-A Hartford last year, he threw just 34 2/3 innings. After two long relief appearances over the past two weeks, his innings total reached 92 1/3 innings.
Black said Senzatela’s near absence over the past two weeks, which paralleled a 3-12 team slump, was not the result of trying to protect the young pitcher. He is now fresh for longer assignments.
“The game is sort of dictating how we use our relief pitchers. But by him not pitching, it’s given him a nice break,” Black said. “If there’s a certain type of game that plays out that we need him, we won’t hesitate at all.”
Looking ahead
White Sox LHP Jose Quintana (4-8, 4.45 ERA) at Rockies RHP Jeff Hoffman (5-1, 4.01), 7:10 p.m. Saturday, ROOT; 850 AM
The last-place White Sox seem to be headed toward a rebuild, with tradable pieces that could attract young prospects in return. Quintana is at the top of that list. On the surface, he seems a neat fit for the Rockies — a veteran lefty starter under contract for three more seasons after 2017, with a relatively affordable salary of about $8 million in 2018, then $10 million per the next two. There have been no indications the Rockies are interested. But they will get a close look at how Quintana, an American League all-star last year, can handle Coors Field.
Sunday: White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon (1-1, 1.59 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (8-7, 4.09), 1:10 p.m., ROOT
Monday: All-star break
