Jordan Lyles' thoughts on his transition to the bullpen

Jordan Lyles began this season in the rotation and was the Rockies starting pitcher in the home opener. After a rough beginning to the year, with only one quality start in his first five outings, and an 8.55 ERA, Lyles was optioned to Triple-A. The former 1st round pick was acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros back in 2013, along with Brandon Barnes, for speedster Dexter Fowler. After a solid first season with the Rockies in 2013, Lyles missed the second half of last season with a broken toe. This year has been a learning experience for Lyles, with multiple stints in Albuquerque and, most recently, being asked to pitch out of the bullpen.

Since being recalled from Triple-A on June 20th, Jordan Lyles has been pitching relief for the Rockies for the first time in his big league career. Lyles is still adjusting to his new role but looks to be taking it in stride.

“This is all different. This is all new. I gotta find my way. I’ll be fine. There’s no excuses. Go get the job done. If you don’t, figure out a way to get it done next time.”

The Rockies recently relegated Jordan Lyles to the bullpen, after his struggles this season. With several pitchers on the DL, the Rockies needed Lyles to fill in as a long reliever while the team is shorthanded. He admits, it’s quite different than starting.

“It’s different but I’m getting there. I’ll figure my way out. Only difference is from inning one you can’t fiddle in, you gotta go hit your target from the first pitch.”

His first appearance as a reliever was not great, he entered the game with a one-run lead, pitched 2.2 innings, surrendering two runs on two hits, he also struck out two. He would pitch better in the series against Arizona, appearing in two games, pitching an inning in both, without allowing any runs. In his most recent appearance, Lyles came up against former Rockie Troy Tulowitzki and the Toronto Blue Jays. He gave up a run on three hits over an inning, he struck out one. After the game, he caught up with BSN’s own Jake Shapiro to give us his thoughts:

“I think my previous two outings before this went OK. I just left some cutters over the plate. Some bad pitches. I gotta make better pitches. I just gotta find the ball down in the zone a little bit better.”

He seems to know what he needs to improve on and is making adjustments as needed. This is what you want to see from a player who has yet to have an established role on this team.

“I’m taking it day-by-day. I’m not thinking big picture right now. They want me to do a certain job and that’s my main focus. I’m trying to get better and help this team win. We have a good team. If I can be a part of it, I’m going to be a part of it. I just need to do my job and do what they need me to do.”

It sounds like Lyles has a great mentality for a player who has been through a lot of ups-and-downs throughout his career. At this point, Rockies fans can merely hope Jordan Lyles finds his comfort zone and continues to help the Rockies as they search for their first playoff berth since 2009.