DENVER -- Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela considers himself fortunate that his two-day bout with COVID-19 wasn’t worse. What he remembers almost as much, though, is battling boredom during the first part of the isolation required by MLB protocols.

“I started playing catch on the fifth day, by myself, throwing to a wall,” Senzatela said. “I was so bored.”

Monotony was followed by the rebuilding of his arm, but all that ended with Senzatela’s side session on Tuesday. He is expected to return Thursday afternoon for the finale of the three-game set against the Cubs at Coors Field.

Senzatela, who was placed on the injured list coming out of the All-Star break, returned to game action Saturday with four Minor League innings, followed by an additional 20 pitches in the bullpen to build arm strength.

The early days of COVID were difficult, but Senzatela believes the precaution he took of being vaccinated prevented the illness from being worse.

“I went through two days of body aches -- that’s all I had,” Senzatela said. “I thank God for that. A lot of people have died of that, but I had just two days.

“My family had it, too. My wife had the body aches and headaches, too. Everybody is OK. My little boy tested positive, but he didn’t have anything. Everybody is good. We got vaccinated before the season started.”

According to the latest data from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 99.99% of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have not had a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalization or death.

The illness was the latest turn in a strange season that has seen him go 2-8 with a 4.58 ERA. Some games have been dominant, a few have been poor, and too many have been good up until the bad pitch at the wrong time.

“I have to limit the mistakes,” Senzatela said. “It happens on any of the pitches. And one bad pitch can change the game.”

Prospect promotions
The Rockies have moved first baseman Michael Toglia, their No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, from High-A Spokane to Double-A Hartford. Toglia, who homered during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field, slashed .243/.333/.465 with 17 home runs and a High-A level-leading 66 RBIs through the weekend.

Moved to Spokane from Low-A Fresno were first baseman Grant Lavigne (No. 12 Rockies prospect) after slashing .281/.388/.442 with 13 doubles, four triples, seven home runs and 40 RBIs; and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (No. 19 Rockies prospect), who slashed .309/.346/.510 with 11 home runs, 21 doubles, three triples and 21 stolen bases. Tovar turned 20 on Sunday.