Rockies planning to utilize Senzatela as reliever in '26

SAN FRANCISCO -- Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer revealed the first of what is expected to be many changes after the second-worst season in Modern Era National League history -- that right-handed pitcher Antonio Senzatela will be viewed as a reliever.

Senzatela, 30, largely struggled in his true return from 2023 Tommy John right elbow surgery, going 4-15 with a 6.65 ERA in 30 games, including 23 starts. General rust after making three appearances last season, and a bothersome blistering problem on his right middle finger contributed to his struggles as a starter (7.42 ERA). He was moved to relief in late August.

Senzatela threw a scoreless inning, gave up a hit and hit a batter in the seventh inning of Sunday’s season finale, a 4-0 loss to the Giants that left the Rockies’ record at 43-119 -- one loss fewer than the 1962 New York Mets, and two fewer than the modern record-holding 2024 White Sox.

“If you tell a player that you don’t know what the future holds for him going into the next year, it’s tough for him to prepare,” Schaeffer said. “For him, it’s preparing for a reliever role, where he’s 1-2 [innings] maxing out, throwing 97-100. There could be a lot of upside with that, potentially pitching toward the back end of our bullpen.”

Senzatela’s performance as a reliever, however, led the Rockies to make the move more than a temporary one to navigate a rough season:

• On June 6, the Rockies used lefty Ryan Rolison as an opener against the Mets, then Senzatela pitched four scoreless innings -- despite four walks and three hits against two strikeouts.

• Senzatela posted a 2.86 ERA with 14 strikeouts to nine walks in seven relief appearances this season. In 33 career relief appearances, Senzatela has a 3.86 ERA.

• The most striking reason for the move came on Sept. 7 against the Padres, when Senzatela threw the five fastest pitches of his career -- 99.0 mph, 99.1 (twice), 99.3 and 99.7. Previously, Senzatela’s fastest pitches came in the same game during his rookie year, July 2, 2017 at Arizona - 99 mph and 98.9.

Senzatela debuted in 2017 and was part of rotations that pitched the Rockies to the postseason in ‘17 and ‘18, and signed a five-year, $50.5 million contract extension through 2026 (with a club option for ‘27). But since sustaining a torn ACL in his left knee in August 2022 and the elbow injury in his second start in 2023, Senzatela has not found momentum as a starter.

The move comes despite the Rockies’ rotation that was a key factor in the Rockies finishing with the greatest negative run differential in MLB’s Modern Era (minus-424). The 6.65 starter ERA was the worst since ERA became an official statistic in 1913. The previous high was 6.64, by the 1996 Tigers.

“I just want to be prepared for anything,” Senzatela said. “I just need to prepare myself to be better. I just want to be there to get outs for my team, and get my arm right. My arm feels good now. During the season, it felt good in spots. Recovery from TJ is different. But I’m glad I’m healthy now.”

Keep teaching
Schaeffer plans to immediately head to Scottsdale, Ariz., to work with prospects in the Rockies’ instructional program, which runs through Saturday.

“I look forward to that very much, to see the young guys and get dirty with them -- put my pants on and have fun in the dirt,” said Schaeffer, the third-base coach before taking over a day after Bud Black was relieved of managerial duties on May 11. “Instructs have always been one of my favorite things as a coach.”

In many ways, Schaeffer’s first Major League managerial opportunity had an instructional feel, with Sunday’s lineup serving as an example. First baseman Blaine Crim at 28 was the oldest player, but he was in his 20th Major League game. The team finished the year as the Majors’ youngest, with an average age of 26.3.

Starting pitcher McCade Brown -- who went three-plus innings and gave up two runs on homers by Willy Adames and Rafael Devers -- and position-player starters Crim, Yanquiel Fernández, Kyle Karros, Warming Bernabel and Ryan Ritter were rookies.

More lows
Poor pitching and youth were just two of the issues that the Rockies must address. Their 323 losses over the last three seasons have tied them with the 1940-42 Phillies for fifth-most for a team over three seasons in the Modern Era. The last MLB team to lose at least 100 in three straight years was the 2011-13 Astros.

Suffering sweeps at the hands of the Mariners and Giants on the final road trip left the Rockies with 21 sweeps. Sunday’s was the club-record 18th shutout absorbed. The 25-56 home record was also the worst in Rockies history.

“What’s usually said in there stays in there, but it’s blatantly obvious to the whole world -- it was not a good season,” Schaeffer said after addressing his team. “Obviously, it’s a horrible season.

“But throughout that we’ve learned that we never want to be here again. Everybody believes that. Also, I was extremely thankful for the way the boys played hard all year. It makes a manager’s job, especially a first-time manager’s job, a lot easier when you can count on the boys for effort the whole game, battling and battling.”