Peter

Lambert

Lambert elected free agency after being designated for assignment at the end of the 2024 season. The 27-year-old is a former top prospect who has struggled considerably at the highest level of play, and he’ll get a chance to revitalize his career overseas.

It never showed up on in the transactions, but at some point in the last 10 days, the Rockies DFA’d and then outrighted Lambert, who had spent 10 years in the organization after being drafted in the second round in 2015. He had a 5.72 ERA in three starts and 25 relief appearances in the majors this season before finishing the year in Triple-A. Overall, he went 8-19 with a 6.28 ERA in parts of four seasons with the club.

Lambert’s velocity has increased some in relief, but he’s become more of a flyball pitcher and he has just an 18% strikeout rate to go along with his 5.72 ERA in 61 1/3 innings. He’s probably not going to stick on the 40-man roster this winter.

He’ll take the place of Riley Pint in the Rockies’ bullpen after Pint was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday. Lambert has struggled in his chances with the big-league club this season, registering a troublesome 6.47 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and a 26/18 K/BB ratio over 32 innings in 15 appearances (three starts). He’ll continue to give them length in a depleted Rockies’ bullpen.

Lambert threw a rather incredible 72 pitches in 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief Sunday, so he was going to need probably three days off. As a result, the Rockies are switching him out for a fresh arm.

Curtiss recorded just one out for the Rockies in 2024 but allowed two runs on three hits. The 31-year-old struggled with the Mets last year as well but does have a career 3.97 ERA in 106 2/3 MLB innings so some team is bound to give him another chance.

The 27-year-old was used out of the bullpen and in the rotation for the Rockies in 2024 but struggled to a 7.24 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, and a 22/14 K/BB ratio over 27 1/3 frames. He figures to be used in the bullpen in this stint but should not be on fantasy rosters. John Curtiss was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Whether it’s working out of the rotation or the bullpen, Lambert has struggled in any role for the Rockies this season, compiling a miserable 7.24 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and a 22/14 K/BB ratio over 27 1/3 frames. He’ll work to refine his craft at the Triple-A level until he’s called upon once again by the Rockies.

Lambert’s outing lasted just three innings as he was hit for seven runs. Six of those runs came in the second, starting with a solo homer by Michael Conforto to lead off the frame. The Giants would bat around the order before Lambert could escape the inning. Two hits in the third would bring in a seventh run. Lambert ends the day with a 7.61 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, and a 20/9 K/BB ratio across 23 2/3 innings. He lines up for a start against the Padres in San Diego on Monday.

Lambert was fortunate to get a no-decision with the Rockies providing just enough offensive support to keep him from the loss. The 27-year-old allowed five hits with three walks against three strikeouts in a middling — at best — effort against a mediocre Miami lineup. Lambert will not be a recommended option next week against the Giants.