Injuries have been a thorn in the Twins’ side for a long time, specifically this season. But there’s some good news on the status of two key players for Minnesota.

Pablo López nearing a return to the rotation

López, who is on the IL after suffering a right hamstring strain on April 8 in Kansas City, looked sharp in his rehab start for the St. Paul Saints, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four in 4 ⅔ innings against the Iowa Cubs last Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. He threw 63 pitches, 43 for strikes.

According to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, López had a fruitful bullpen session Tuesday. He’s eligible to return from the IL tomorrow, but with Chris Paddack slated to start, López should return sometime this weekend.

In three starts for the Twins this year, López has a 1.62 ERA and 3.27 FIP with 14 strikeouts and two walks in 16 ⅔ innings.

Royce Lewis is gearing up to make a rehab assignment soon

If the Twins can take care of business against the White Sox and Angels, and Lewis, who has been sidelined with a moderate hamstring strain since March 16, returns in the near future, the Twins’ season could be potentially salvaged.

That’s a lot of ‘ifs,’ but the good news is that one of them is becoming a certainty.

According to MLB’s Matthew Leach, Lewis did sprints and a “full-body lift” Monday and ran the bases Tuesday. As long as Lewis continues to appear healthy, he could begin a Minor League rehab assignment as soon as this week.

Last season on opening day, Lewis landed on the injured list with a right quad strain. He returned on June 4 before another IL stint in July.

Before his second injury last year, a right adductor strain, Lewis held a .292/.354/.685 slash line with 10 home runs in 89 at-bats. After returning to the roster late July, he hit a dreadful .207/.270/.350 with six home runs in 203 at-bats.

Still, the Twins need Lewis – aka Mr. Grand Slam – for their struggling offense, which ranks 28th in the league in OPS at .620 and 29th in batting average at .210.

Twins set to play Game 2 against the Chicago White Sox tonight

Game 2 of the three-game set between the Twins and White Sox is scheduled to start at 6:40 tonight at Target Field. David Festa is slated to start on the mound for the Twins, with Bryce Wilson expected to start for the White Sox.