MINNEAPOLIS — Royce Lewis is getting close.
Sidelined since Opening Day with a severe right quadriceps strain, Lewis has been cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul, the Minnesota Twins announced Friday.
Lewis worked out in front of the Twins’ training staff Friday at Target Field and will join the Saints on their road trip to Buffalo, N.Y. He’s slated to start at designated hitter Saturday in what will be Lewis’ first game action since leaving the March 28 season opener in the third inning. Initially expected to miss approximately two months, Lewis is on target for that timetable.
In his absence, Jose Miranda has emerged as the Twins’ main fill-in third baseman, starting Friday for the 28th time in 49 games since Lewis’ injury. Kyle Farmer (11 starts) and Willi Castro (10) have also seen regular action at the hot corner, and collectively the Twins’ third basemen rank 14th out of 30 teams in OPS this season.
Lewis suffered back-to-back season-ending knee injuries in 2021 and 2022 and also missed time last year with oblique and hamstring injuries. When healthy enough to stay in the Twins’ lineup, he’s played at an MVP level by hitting .313/.369/.564 with 18 homers and 58 RBIs in 71 games, plus another four homers in six playoff games.
“He’s a difference-maker and a game-changer,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. “The fact that we will get him back soon is exciting. Adding him to our lineup, it’s going to boost the lineup in a big way. I’m excited for him to just go out there, take it day by day, and go through his things, show everybody that he’s ready, and then come back here and help us.”
Royce Lewis with the first Twins HR this year… because of course 😂 pic.twitter.com/QH5ihNkPNk
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 28, 2024
Lewis has described this rehab process as more mentally challenging than even the much longer recoveries from knee surgery, because it halted what he hoped would finally be his first full, healthy season with the Twins. And teammates and coaches have sensed the always optimistic 24-year-old’s restlessness, joking about keeping Lewis patient and sane.
“He’s been antsier than what I remember in the past,” bench coach Jayce Tingler said. “He’s been charged up, ready to get out there. I think it’s a bit challenging for him because he wants to be out there so bad with the guys. … He’s extremely eager to get out and get going. I think everybody is kind of charged up and excited for him.”
Lewis will no doubt be pushing to return as soon as possible. “He’s been wanting to play since last month,” Correa joked, and he’s previously been able to produce at the plate right away after returning from lengthy absences, but the Twins will likely want to see how his quadriceps responds to multiple games of base running and fielding.
“Royce seems to be the type of guy that doesn’t need really a lot of at-bats, just from a rhythm and a timing standpoint,” Tingler said. “I say that just because of the layoff he had at the end of last year, and then to go into the playoffs and to not miss a beat. It’s going to be about getting some strength, some stamina under the legs and get built up properly that way.”
Lewis batted third in the Twins’ order on Opening Day and going without his impact bat has forced manager Rocco Baldelli to mix and match, both at third base and with the lineup in general. His return would free up Miranda to play more first base and DH and enable Castro to play more left field, three spots where the Twins have struggled to get consistent production.
“Hopefully, when he comes back, he stays with us for the entire season,” Correa said. “And you know what he can do when he’s on the field.”
(Photo of Royce Lewis and Carlos Correa: Brace Hemmelgarn / Minnesota Twins / Getty Images)
