Colorado Rockies: Peter Lambert on his return to the mound in Spokane

Working his way back from Tommy John surgery, Colorado Rockies pitcher Peter Lambert 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-hander, who underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2020, threw 32 pitches in his Spokane debut. He struck out two and allowed just one hit before yielding to Rockies 10th-ranked prospect Chris McMahon, who dazzled in the final seven frames to help Spokane to a 6-1 win over the Hillsboro (Ore.) Hops.

Here’s what Peter Lambert had to say about his continued progress back to the Colorado Rockies.

Lambert employed a mix of pitches in his pair of innings, including a changeup that he used to finish off batters. He was also pleased with his fastball.

“I think it (the fastball) was a tick faster (than the Spokane radar gun indicated). I think it was 92-95 which is typically right where I am,” Lambert said. “I think that was more of my changeup I was getting the strikeouts on. I threw a few breaking balls, but they were more for first-pitch strikes. I was just trying to get a feel for it again.”

Lambert admitted that he “definitely had some butterflies,” but Spokane manager Scott Little was pleased with what he saw from the former second-round pick.

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“You don’t really have much in terms of expectations for a guy who hasn’t pitched in so long,” Little said. “I tip my hat to him. He’s worked hard to get to where he is and he did well tonight.”

Little also complimented Lambert’s mix of pitches, calling his changeup his best secondary pitch.

After the game, Lambert said he expected to make another appearance in Spokane. From there, the Rockies will also likely decide his next stop and mark to hit as he works to get back to Denver.

Colorado manager Bud Black has indicated it’s possible that Lambert could pitch again for the Rockies before the end of the 2021 season.