HOUSTON -- The Rockies will activate right-hander Antonio Senzatela from the 10-day disabled list to start Saturday against the Braves, manager Bud Black said Wednesday.
Saturday will be Senzatela's first start since throwing six innings of one-run ball Aug. 2 at the Cardinals, missing a total of 12 games with right shoulder inflammation before his scheduled return Saturday. The Rockies plan to send righty Chad Bettis to the bullpen for a long-relief role for the time being.
"We just felt at this time, Antonio is throwing the ball a little better than Chad," Black said.
Senzatela threw a multi-inning simulated game Tuesday at Minute Maid Park and reported a positive response to Colorado's training staff as the final major step of his rehab process.
Senzatela (4-3, 4.56 ERA), who has made five starts this season after joining the rotation from the bullpen in early July, has a 3.60 ERA as a starting pitcher in 2018.
Bettis (5-2, 5.42 ERA) missed 27 games this season with a blister on his right middle finger, something that put him on the DL from July 3 until Aug. 7. Bettis has made two starts since his return, allowing nine runs in 4 2/3 innings to the Pirates on Aug. 7 and one run in 6 1/3 innings to the Dodgers on Sunday.
"We talked to Chad earlier this afternoon," Black said. "This was a tough decision for us as a coaching staff to go this direction. 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.
"With Chad, where he is now with his career -- experience, good head on his shoulders -- when he's asked to warm up that will be a little different for him," Black said. "He's got a great aptitude and great feel for the game itself. He'll 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."
Arenado update
Third baseman Nolan Arenado took groundballs and threw across the diamond on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Black said he's "really optimistic" Arenado (throwing shoulder soreness) will return to third base Thursday at Atlanta. Arenado was Colorado's designated hitter on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Astros.