Senzatela Rejoins Rockies Rotation; Bettis Moves to Bullpen
Antonio Senzatela, on the disabled list since Aug. 2 with a right shoulder inflammation, showed no ill-effects from an extended simulated game on Tuesday, prompting the Rockies to confirm that Senzaela will replace Chad Bettis in the rotation and start on Saturday in Atlanta.
"We just felt at this time, Antonio is throwing the ball a little better than Chad," Black told media members during his daily pregame session.
Senzatela (4-3, 4.56 ERA), opened the season in the rotation, but moved into the rotation in July and was 2-2 with a 3.60 ERA.
| Antonio Senzatela | W | L | ERA | GS | INN | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As a starter | 2 | 2 | 3.60 | 5 | 30 | 23 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 23 | .213 |
Bettis (5-2, 5.42 ERA) did allow one run in 6 1/3 innings on Sunday, his second start after being on the disabled list for 27 games because of a blister on his right middle finger, but has struggled as a starter since May 11.
Bettis opened the season 4-1 with a 2.65 ERA in his first seven starts. Since May 11, however, he is 1-1 in 12 starts with a 6.80 ERA.
| Chad Bettis | W | L | ERA | GS | INN | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since May 11 | 1 | 1 | 7.80 | 12 | 62.1 | 74 | 54 | 54 | 13 | 30 | 48 | .301 |
"This was a tough decision for us as a coaching staff to go this direction," Black said. "I told Chad, for us to get to where we want to be, it's going to take all of us, regardless of the role or the situation that might currently present itself. Chad was fine. He understood that there was a decision to be made."
Bettis has not made a relief appearance since 2014 and has a 9.09 ERA in 29 career appearances out of the bullpen, all of which were made back in the days when former Rockies front office type Bill Geivett enforced an organizational ban on the curveball, which was the pitch that set Bettis apart from other pitchers.
Black is confident Bettis can handle the bullpen role.
"He has a great aptitude and great feel for the game itself," said Black. "He will be ready to pitch. That will probably be in a role that might require some length. It might be an extra-innings situation. It could be if something happens to the starter earlier in the game. There's a variety of things. You can't just pinpoint one thing. He'll be very capable to get us outs."