Lamet debuts strong in return from injury

Dinelson Lamet made his much-anticipated Cactus League debut Wednesday night in what was easily the most consequential outing by a Padres pitcher this spring.

Lamet, who had been sidelined with a right elbow injury, impressed in his lone inning of work in the Padres' 7-3 loss to the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium, needing only 12 pitches to complete his night. The right-hander allowed a home run on a mistake fastball after cleanly retiring two batters, but bounced back on the very next pitch to induce a groundout and finish strong.

“I feel like I achieved everything I wanted to,” Lamet said through an interpreter. “I think it was perfect in that regard.

“I wanted to come in healthy and come out healthy and I was able to do that. I didn’t feel off on the mound. I felt like I executed my pitches. I felt like I was doing what I wanted to do, and I wanted to come out the same way that I came in. In my mind, it was a success.”

Of Lamet’s dozen pitches, most were fastballs. Lamet sat in the mid-to-high 90s, peaking at 98 mph on his final pitch. While Lamet’s velocity was strong, he noted that he didn't want to over-exert himself on the mound, rather focusing on good mechanics.

Along with the heater, Lamet mixed in two sliders and two changeups. On his changeup, Lamet said the pitch has improved and will be important going forward. His slider already has a reputation for being one of the league’s most valuable pitches, but he's been slower in building up that pitch than his other two this spring.

Lamet emerged as an ace last season, posting a 2.09 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 69 innings to finish fourth in Cy Young voting. The Padres haven't revealed the specifics of Lamet’s injury, but the starter said shutting his 2020 season down early -- he missed the postseason -- allowed him to avoid a second Tommy John surgery. In October, Lamet received a platelet-rich plasma injection.

Lamet’s debut was the latest step as he continues to build himself up for the regular season. Prior to his debut, Lamet spent most of March pitching in simulated games on the backfields of the Peoria Sports Complex. Last Thursday, Lamet pitched multiple innings for the first time this spring in a simulated game.

The next goal for Lamet will be throwing multiple innings against opposing hitters. Given that the season begins April 1, Lamet won’t be ready for Opening Day, but the Padres never planned to rush him back. San Diego is far more concerned with him being ready for September and October than him making the team out of camp.

“You’re always going to want to be back out there, but at the same time, it’s been important to recognize that this is a process that’s going to take its time and it’s going to take its due course,” Lamet said. “One of the biggest things is not having a step in the wrong direction.”

San Diego won’t have to worry about a dip in rotation quality as Lamet comes along. Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove, all of whom were acquired via trade this past offseason, will anchor the new-look staff to begin the season.

“I feel great about how I’m progressing and I can’t wait to join the team formally and be a part of what we’re doing for the season,” Lamet said.