Rockies’ Antonio Senzatela excited for return to big-league mound

Antonio Senzatela feels like a rookie, with butterflies in the tummy included.

“It’s been a long time coming back, and I’m really excited,” the Rockies’ 29-year-old right-hander said Sunday morning from the dugout at Coors Field. “It feels so good to finally feel healthy.”

On Monday night vs. Arizona, Senzatela will make his first big-league start since May 10, 2023, when he left during his second start of that season after facing just 12 batters. The Rockies weren’t certain that Senzatela would pitch with the big-league club this season because he didn’t undergo Tommy John surgery until mid-July of last year.

“I always kept in my mind that I want to be here in September,” said Senzatela, who is 39-43 with a 4.87 ERA in 145 career games, including 119 starts, all with the Rockies. “I just worked my (butt) off every day and I got a good result.”

In October 2021, Senzatela agreed to a five-year, $50.5 million contract through the 2026 season with a $14 million club option for 2027. He was supposed to be a central part of Colorado’s rotation but then tore his left ACL on Aug. 18 in St. Louis. He owned a 3-7 record and 5.07 ERA when was injured.

Senzatela said his right elbow “feels great,” but is viewing his comeback with some caution. Right-hander German Marquez, Senzatela’s close friend, underwent Tommy John surgery last May and made just one start this season before returning to the injured list with a stress reaction in the elbow that ended Marquez’s season. Also, lefty Lucas Gilbreath returned from Tommy John but has been lost for the season because of lingering shoulder issues.

“Yeah, I got a little nervous during the process because ‘Markie’ and Lucas got hurt,” Senzatela said. “So I had to work a little harder.”

Senzatela said that during his recovery and his minor league rehab starts he concentrated on improving his curveball.

Marquez update. The right-hander said Sunday that his elbow is pain-free, adding that he expects to undergo an MRI soon to assess how it’s healing.

Marquez’s injury is a stress reaction to the olecranon in his elbow. The olecranon is the bony tip of the elbow, and pain is typically caused by overuse. According to the National Institute of Health, the injury is commonly found in athletes, such as baseball players, who apply extreme pressure on the elbow.