The Colorado Rockies have a good situation on their hands. All season long, the Rockies have been forced to pick between a pool of young starters to fill out their rotation. Colorado has mixed and matched arms, and it resulted in the best start in franchise history through the All-Star break.

Now, with the postseason approaching, Colorado will be looking to fine-tune their rotation for the rest of the season, and rookie Antonio Senzatela is seeking to earn his spot.

Senzatela was easily the Rockies best starter at the beginning of the season. He was was dominant in April, boasting a 3-1 record with an ERA of 2.81 and earning NL Rookie of the Month. The success rolled through May, but once June came around, so did the gloom for Senzatela.

After about a month of up-and-down performances, the Rockies optioned Senzatela to Triple-A Albuquerque, only to eventually recall him to serve as a bullpen pitcher.

Senzatela has thrived in his role as a reliever. In his seven appearances out of the bullpen, hitters have posted a .106 batting average against him.

The rest period and shift to the bullpen were aimed to lighten the work load, among other things Rockies Manager Bud Black explained.

“The main idea moving him to the pen was for a little bit of rest for the arm and a little bit of performance,” Black said. “He had a great April, May was okay, and then we saw a little bit of drop in his stuff. Moving to the pen was a combination of performance, and I think a rest component to get his second wind, so to speak, where he can get his velocity back to where it was earlier in the year,”

While he welcomed the switch to the bullpen, Senzatela is ready to get back on the mound as a starter, which he will do Wednesday when the Rockies face the Kansas City Royals.

The rest period was helpful for Senzatela, who said he feels just like he did earlier in the season.

“It helped me a lot. [I] feel better, feel more confident in myself just with my body giving it time to rest, I feel a lot better,” the rookie said Saturday.

All in all, the Rockies made the right move in resting Senzatela. With roughly a month and a half remaining in the season, most of the Rockies’ arms are fresh for the ensuing postseason push.

The coming weeks will be critical, but it will also serve as an opportunity for Senzatela to solidify himself as one of Colorado’s five starters for the stretch run.