Peter Lambert on his return to the hill in Spokane
09/14/2019; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Peter Lambert (23) delivers a pitch in the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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Colorado Rockies pitcher Peter Lambert worked his way back from surgery on Tommy John and took another step toward returning to the Rockies with a two-inning stint for the High-A Spokane Indians on Wednesday night.
The 24-year-old right-handed, who underwent surgery from Tommy John in July 2020, threw 32 litters on his Spokane debut. He hit two and allowed only one hit before giving in to Chris McMahon, the tenth-placed Rockies candidate.
Here’s what Peter Lambert had to say about his continued progress back to the Colorado Rockies.
Lambert used a mixture of pitches in his innings, including a change that ended the batters with. He was also happy with his fastball.
“I think it (the fastball) was a tad faster (than the Spokane radar gun indicated). I think it was 92-95 which is usually exactly where I am, ”said Lambert. “I think that was more of my transition where I got the strikeouts. I threw a couple of breakballs, but they were more for first pitch strikes. I just tried to get a feeling for it again. “
Lambert admitted he “definitely had some butterflies,” but Spokane manager Scott Little was pleased with what he saw of the former second-round pick.
“You don’t really have high expectations of a guy who hasn’t jumped for that long,” said Little. “I take my hat off to him. He worked hard to get where he is and he did well tonight. “
Little also praised Lambert’s pitch mix, calling his move his best secondary pitch.
After the game, Lambert said he expected another appearance at Spokane. From there, the Rockies will also likely decide his next stop and marker while he works on getting back to Denver.
Colorado manager Bud Black has hinted that Lambert could serve up for the Rockies again before the end of the 2021 season.