SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — In 2018, when they were all babyfaced big-league pitchers, Jon Gray called them the “twin brothers” of the Rockies clubhouse.
German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela, side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder, roommates, best buddies, always backing each other up.
The Venezuelan right-handers never leaned on each other more than they have over the past two years, when injuries derailed their careers and contributed to the Rockies’ slide to the bottom of the National League. Now the duo is back, looking good, throwing heat and aiming to revitalize Colorado’s rotation.
“I couldn’t be happier about where those two guys are now after the two years they have been through,” pitching coach Darryl Scott said. “And I couldn’t be prouder.”
Marquez and Senzatela, who both turned 30 this winter, have been joined at the hip for nearly a decade. They were central to Colorado’s playoff seasons in 2017-18 and witnessed six consecutive losing seasons thereafter.
The duo started out together at Double-A Hartford and were roommates during their first Cactus League spring training in 2016.
“Yeah, man, we’re close,” Marquez said. “We have great respect for each other and always support each other. Then we had to push each other to get out of our situations.”
Those “situations” were dire.
Marquez, a workhorse for six seasons and an All-Star in 2021, suffered an elbow injury four starts into 2023 and underwent Tommy John surgery. Although he recovered relatively quickly and returned to the rotation last July, his comeback lasted a scant four innings. Marquez’s rebuilt elbow ligament was fine, but the strain of pitching caused a stress reaction in his elbow. The Rockies shut him down for the rest of the season.
“It was frustrating, but it is what it is,” Marquez said. “It’s friggin’ hard to pitch with pain. But now I feel ready.”
Senzatela’s 2022 season ended when he tore his left ACL on Aug. 18 during a game at St. Louis when he took an awkward step rushing to cover first base. He returned in May 2023 but made just two starts before elbow pain forced him off the mound. He later was diagnosed with a torn UCL and had Tommy John surgery on July 26.
Senzatela returned late last season and made three starts. Although he was limited to 12 1/3 innings and posted a 6.57 ERA, it was a necessary stepping stone in his comeback.
“Senza’s” attitude sustained him during his difficult recovery.
“My frustration (level) was really high,” Senzatela said. “I mean, you work really hard, but then it’s something followed by something else. But it’s part of the baseball life, and sometimes it’s hard. I just wake up every day and look forward. There is nothing I can complain about.”
Early results from spring training have been encouraging. Both pitchers say their rebuilt elbows feel good, with Marquez adding, “It feels like I have a new arm.”
“I’ve been really, really happy with both of them,” Scott said. “And I’ve been pleasantly surprised by Marky’s velocity. Coming off of surgery, you wonder, ‘Is that velocity going to come back?’
“But it’s been really good. And it’s been easy velocity. Throwing in the games and throwing in the ‘pen, it doesn’t look like he’s forcing it. It’s his natural velocity.”
In early Cactus League action, Marquez’s four-seam fastball touched 98 mph, and his command was sharp.
“Now it’s about him getting the mound time to get that pitching feeling back and getting that fine touch back,” Scott said. “His slider and curve are showing well, but he’ll have to throw it enough in camp to get that true command back.”
Senzatela’s fastball has reached 97 mph, and he’s given up no runs in three games (eight innings), surrendering just two hits and one walk while striking out five. He’s been Colorado’s most impressive spring starter.
“I feel really good right now, and my mindset is just to go out and do the best job I can,” Senzatela said. “I want to work my (butt) off every day to try to make the team in spring training.”
It seems like a no-brainer that “Senza” will be part of the rotation, but with a corps of young starters close to graduating to the majors, he’s taking nothing for granted. His commitment doesn’t go unnoticed.
“That guy works, man,” Scott said. “He’s a grinder. He’s not somebody who you ever question about their work ethic. That’s showing up in the games.”
During the pitchers’ two-year absence, manager Bud Black missed their camaraderie.
“There are times when, in a game, when it’s hot, there’s a crisis, the game is in the balance, and they both will encourage each through Spanish,” Black said. “It’s loud enough that the other guy can hear it, from the dugout to the mound … cheering them on, pulling for them hard. It’s cool. You can tell that they really care for each other.”
Senzatela grew up in Valencia, Venezuela, about 450 miles from San Felix, where Marquez was raised. Senzatela was born Jan. 21, 1995, and Marquez was born 32 days later. Marquez made his big-league debut Sept. 8, 2016. Senzatela’s debut came April 16, 2017.
But their time together in Colorado purple could be nearing an end.
Marquez is entering the final year of his contract. He’s making $10 million, but the deal is structured so that he can earn up to $20 million if he stays healthy and pitches well enough to reach incentives. A trade is possible if the Rockies are out of the playoff hunt by the end of July and Marquez is pitching well.
“I don’t want to think about it,” he said. “I just want to play baseball and see what happens. Whatever it is, I’ll be ready for it.”
Senzatela’s future in Colorado is more secure. Following the 2021 season, he signed a five-year deal worth $50.5 million, including a club option for the 2027 season. He’s scheduled to make $12 million this season, $12 million in 2026 and, if the Rockies pick up his option, $14 million in ’27.
The duo knows this could be their last hurrah together. They want to make the most of it.
“I feel we have a good team to go out and compete,” Senzatela said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys with veteran guys. The young guys are more experienced, more relaxed. I like our mix.”
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