PITTSBURGH — The Rockies’ starting rotation, already beset by injuries this season, has taken another hit.
Right-hander Antonio Senzatela, making just his second start of the season, was pulled from Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Pirates with right forearm tightness. Senzatela said he felt “super tight, with some pain,” on the underside of the forearm near the elbow.
After the game, Senzatela, 28, admitted that he was worried.
“I was feeling a little bit tight before the game, during my bullpen when I was warming up,” he said after the Rockies beat Pittsburgh, 4-3. “I’ve never experienced this before.”
Senzatela had just given up a two-run home run to Andrew McCutcheon in the third inning when manager Bud Black and assistant trainer Heath Townsend went out to the mound to check on Senzatela. After a quick consultation, Senzatela was taken out of the game and replaced by right-hander Peter Lambert. The Rockies trailed the Pirates, 3-0, when Senzatela was hurt.
“We’ll see, we’re crossing our fingers,” Black said. “He’ll go through all of the exams and tests. We’ll know more by the weekend.”
The Rockies have already lost opening-day starter German Marquez for the rest of the season after he suffered a right elbow injury that will require Tommy John surgery. Also, rookie right-hander Noah Davis is on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. There is no timetable for his return but Davis said last weekend that his elbow was feeling much better.
Senzatela suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during his final start of the 2022 season on Aug. 18 at St. Louis. After an intense offseason rehab program, he made his first start of the season last Friday in New York against the Mets. He gave on one run on three hits, including a solo homer. There were no signs that his arm was bothering him.
“He felt good all through his rehab and he felt great in New York,” Black said.
If Senzatela goes on the 15-day injured list, the Rockies will have to search for a viable fifth starter. Lambert, who pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday, striking out four and walking one, is an option. But he’s had elbow issues dating back to his own Tommy John surgery in July 2020.
Though was a starter at Triple-A Albuquerque before he was called up to be Colorado’s long reliever, he was on a limited pitch count. In five starts he pitched only 13 1/3 innings, posting a 4.73 ERA. It’s possible that the Rockies could call up Phillips Valdez from Triple-A and piggyback Valdez and Lambert in a start.
Colorado could also look outside the organization for help. The Rays designated 35-year-old right-hander Chase Anderson for assignment Wednesday, while Reds right-hander Luis Cessa and Pirates right-hander Chase De Jong were designated Tuesday.
The Rockies are off Thursday as they return from an East Coast road swing.
Pitching probables
Friday: Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (3-2, 5.97 ERA) at Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (3-4, 6.75), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
Saturday: Phillies LHP Ranger Suarez (2023 debut) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (2-2, 5.08), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM
Sunday: Phillies LHP Matt Strahm (2-3, 3.14) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (3-4, 3.57), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
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