Lambert signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros released Lambert on Tuesday after informing him he hadn't made the Opening Day roster, but the 28-year-old right-hander will return to the organization after testing the free-agent market. He will begin the year as bullpen depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.

The Astros granted Lambert his release Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The team informed Lambert on Sunday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster, and the 28-year-old righty has now decided to explore his options in free agency. He posted a 2.92 ERA and 1.70 WHIP over 12.1 innings in the Grapefruit League but owns a 6.28 ERA across his MLB career, so he may have to settle for a minor-league contract.

The Astros informed Lambert on Sunday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lambert had attended spring training as a non-roster invitee but made a spirited bid for a spot in Houston's bullpen by turning in a 2.92 ERA and 8:5 K:BB in 12.1 innings during the Grapefruit League. The right-hander's minor-league contract contains an opt-out clause that will allow him to pursue opportunities elsewhere, but Lambert is still deciding whether to become a free agent or stay in the organization and report to Triple-A Sugar Land, per Rome.

The Astros signed Lambert to a minor-league contract Monday, Aram Leighton of JustBaseball.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lambert spent the 2025 campaign pitching for the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball, collecting a 3.98 ERA and 111:54 K:BB over 124.1 innings. The 28-year-old has posted a 6.98 ERA over 74 appearances (38 starts) at the big-league level for the Rockies and will likely begin the 2026 season as rotation depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Lambert signed a one-year contract with the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball.

EDGE Analysis

Lambert has spent his entire pro career with the Rockies and has recently served primarily as a reliever. He should have a chance to start in Japan, and he could potentially return stateside due to the short-term deal.

Lambert elected free agency Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Lambert split his time in 2024 between Triple-A Albuquerque and with the Rockies and has managed just a 6.28 ERA and 181:95 K:BB over 243.2 innings covering parts of four seasons in the majors. The 27-year-old was used mostly in relief this season but has plenty of past experience as a starting pitcher.

The Rockies optioned Lambert to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Lambert has been used mostly as a multi-inning reliever for the Rockies this season and it hasn't gone well, as he holds a 5.72 ERA and 50:29 K:BB over 61.1 innings. Jake Bird was called up from Triple-A to replace Lambert in the bullpen.

Lambert (thumb) allowed two hits and a walk while striking out three over 2.1 scoreless innings in Sunday's 9-8 win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Lambert bruised his thumb in an appearance versus the Mets on Thursday, but he was able to return in short order. This was just his third scoreless outing in seven appearances since the All-Star break, as Lambert remains in a long-relief role. For the year, he has a 5.73 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 47:24 K:B through 55 innings over 25 appearances (three starts).

Lambert was removed from his relief appearance in Thursday's 9-1 loss to the Mets due to what Rockies manager Bud Black described as a "severely bruised" left thumb, MLB.com reports. "It ballooned up as the outing went on," Black said after Lambert was struck by a Francisco Lindor line drive in the fourth inning. "It got to the point where it was becoming a little bit of a distraction for him to pitch, so that's why we got him out of there. We took X-rays, and they were negative."

EDGE Analysis

Coming on in the top of the fourth inning to replace laboring starter Austin Gomber, Lambert allowed a one-out single to Tyrone Taylor, then got a double play when Lindor's liner ricocheted off the right-hander's glove to shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who stepped on second base and threw to first. Lambert went on to pitch two more innings and struck out three batters on the day, but his overall effectiveness waned as he pitched through the thumb injury, and he ended up giving up two earned runs on five hits and one walk. Though X-rays came back negative, Lambert could be a candidate to go on the injured list if any issues are discovered once the swelling goes down.

The Rockies recalled Lambert from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday

EDGE Analysis

After making the Rockies' Opening Day roster, Lambert has bounced between Colorado and Albuquerque and has spent the last month at Triple-A. He'll take the spot of Riley Pint on the active roster. Lambert owns a 6.47 ERA across 32.0 innings with the Rockies this season.