The Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes were in Omaha to face off against the Storm Chasers on Tuesday night with starter Pat Dean on the mound. For the Colorado Rockies, that holds a lot of significance.

Over the weekend, the Colorado Rockies sent down Opening Day starter Kyle Freeland to the minors after his ERA ballooned to a hefty 7.13. This move left the already thin rotation short an arm. With the off day on Monday, Colorado manager Bud Black was able keep the rotation on regular days rest with Jeff Hoffman, German Marquez, Jon Gray, and Antonio Senzatela slated to begin the Rockies’ six-game road trip … but they still needed to add a starter.

Suspicions that the Rockies would turn to their #4 prospect Peter Lambert to fill the void began to grow. Then Tuesday night’s game in Omaha all but confirmed those suspicions. The Isotopes’ scheduled starter was supposed to be the 22-year-old Lambert. However, Pat Dean found himself on the mound throwing out the first pitch instead, practically sealing Lambert’s fate.

Lambert will likely make his Major League debut in the Big Apple against the New York Mets either Friday or Saturday, depending on how Black wants to set up the rotation.

In his first full season in Triple-A Albuquerque, Lambert is 2-2 with a 5.07 ERA in 11 starts in the hitter-centric Pacific Coast League. He has fared much better in his last three starts, giving up eight earned runs, striking out 20 and only walking one in 20 total innings including his seven-inning gem on May 24 where he struck out 10 and surrendered no runs.

The long wait looks to be finally over for the much anticipated debut of Peter Lambert. The Rockies would have likely wanted to have waited a little longer but injuries and poor performances have forced their hand. Let’s all hope that he can thrive in the Majors much like the Rockies other high-profile prospect, Brendan Rodgers.