Texas Rangers righthanded starting pitcher Colby Lewis has taken another step on his return from tendor flexor surgery, throwing two innings yesterday in a game for the Round Rock Express.

Lewis, who has been out since the middle of last year after undergoing the surgery, was originally slated to go three innings or 45 pitches, but was lifted after just two innings because he was already at the 41 pitch mark.

Lewis did not have a good statistical outing, as he allowed 4 hits, including a double to Collin Cowgill and a homer to Zach Lutz, while striking out a pair and walking a pair. That's not entirely unexpected at this point, given that this is the first "real" game action Lewis has appeared in since going on the disabled list last season.

Lewis is expected to make at least three more starts before he'll be deemed ready to return to the Rangers' rotation in late May or early June.