FRISCO, Texas -- Colby Lewis began the road back to the Texas rotation once again Wednesday night.
The right-hander did so feeling a lot better than the last time he began a rehab stint May 20 for Frisco.
Lewis threw 45 pitches for the Double-A Roughriders, allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings against San Antonio.
"I actually felt pretty good," Lewis said. "I wanted to feel how I rebounded going into the third inning. Overall it was decent. I threw some good changeups. I think overall I need to get a lot of sharpness back. I think that will come with a couple of more starts and hopefully I'll be ready to go."
Lewis had better velocity than he did during his last rehab start, hitting 89 mph twice in the first inning and 88 in the second. Relying mainly on his fastball, he threw 27 strikes, struck out one and walked one. Lewis' night ended after he threw a changeup that was belted for a two-run homer.
Lewis hadn't pitched in a game since May 25. Lewis, who had flexor tendon surgery last year, had his last rehab assignment cut short by elbow tendinitis that required an injection.
He didn't have any issues with his arm Wednesday.
"I was hoping it would feel a lot better and it definitely does," Lewis said. "I need to go out there and continue to get reps and repeat that delivery and continue to get strong. I felt like I had more whip right now. The ball's coming out of my hand a little bit easier than it did last time. I felt like it was a lot of effort trying to get the ball to the plate last time. Definitely it was easier."
Lewis threw 20 pitches in the first, allowing two runs on two hits. He needed six pitches to get through the second but then didn't make it out of the third on a night he was scheduled to pitch three innings or throw 45 pitches. Lewis did have his lone strikeout in the third and the one swing-and-miss pitch he threw.
Lewis' next start will likely come again Monday for Frisco, which will be back from a road trip.
When and if he returns to Arlington remains to be seen but Lewis doesn't see why he won't be pitching for the Rangers this year.
"I feel like I want to get back to the form I've been in the last three years," he said. "I've just got to get back there and get the opportunity again."
