Royce Lewis’ latest injury update good news for Twins fans
Lewis, who is currently on the injured list with a left hamstring strain he suffered while running out a single in the Twins’ 10-3 loss against the Houston Astros on June 13, ran the bases today and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints on Friday, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale.
Royce Lewis ran the bases pregame today and he’s scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints on Friday.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) June 26, 2025
Lewis missed the first 35 games of the season with a moderate left hamstring strain he suffered during spring training, so it is good news to hear that this time around, his return to the diamond won’t take nearly as long.
Lewis has struggled at the plate this season, hitting .202/.282/.303 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 110 plate appearances.
However, he has recently shown the side of himself that posted 2.4 bWAR in 58 games in 2023, hitting .429/.500/.619 over his last 21 at-bats before his injury against Houston.
With Minnesota going 2-9 since Lewis’ second hamstring strain this year, the 2017 No. 1 pick is returning at a pivotal point of the season.
The Twins need Lewis to continue where he left off offensively when he returns to aid a turnaround before the trade deadline.
If the Twins continue their losing ways upon Lewis’ return, many impact players will find themselves traded to another team this summer.
Who will lose their roster spot when Lewis returns?
The players most likely to lose their roster spot after Lewis completes his rehab assignment are Jonah Bride and DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
The Twins recalled Keirsey when they placed Lewis on the IL nearly two weeks ago.
Since being recalled, Keirsey has seen action in five games, going hitless in three at-bats with one walk. Given the nature of his lack of playing time, Keirsey might be back in a Saints uniform soon.
On the other hand, Keirsey at least provides elite outfield defense and baserunning as a bench player.
Bride is good defensively in the infield, but the Twins don’t really need a late-game replacement for their infielders. Bride has little-to-no offensive value, as he has one hit in his last 30-at bats and has a .505 OPS since getting traded to Minnesota.
The Twins might want Lewis to DH frequently, however, which might be good news for Bride, whose primary position is third base.
