MN Twins Injury Update: Royce Lewis Rehab Assignment Underway

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Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Things continue to go bad for the Minnesota Twins. They dropped to 9-16 on the season after a loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Rain came down all afternoon and ultimately got the game called, after seven innings. A small bright spot may be the announcement that a Royce Lewis return is near.

Royce Lewis getting closer for Minnesota Twins

On March 16, Royce Lewis attempted to beat out a Spring Training infield single, when he strained hamstring and left the game. Now, over a month after being placed on the injured list, the former No. 1 overall pick is set to begin a rehab assignment in St. Paul on Friday.

Prior to starting his rehab assignment, Royce Lewis passed his final test of on-field running and baseball drills at Target Field. The Saints are currently at home, hosting the Indianapolis Indians, making this a perfect time to get his rehab assignment underway.

St. Paul has a doubleheaders scheduled for Friday. Lewis won’t play both of those games, though. The Saints also have scheduled contests on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. We’ll see how aggressive the Minnesota Twins will be when it comes to getting their oft-injured young star back on the big league roster.

Brooks Lee played in just four rehab games (three with Triple-A) before returning to the big leagues. Brock Stewart made two rehab appearances with High-A Fort Myers and joined the Twins. Last season Minnesota played in six rehab games before rejoining the Twins following his first injury.

Lewis played in just 82 games last season after an injury on Opening Day cost him considerable time. He also missed action with an oblique injury. His .233/.295/.452 slash line was reflective of offensive struggles for the first time in his career.

This spring was encouraging for Lewis. In 12 games he batted .346/.469/.423 with a pair of doubles, just two strikeouts, and four walks.

MN Twins infield could get crowded

Prior to his injury the Twins had Royce Lewis penciled in as their every day third baseman. That role was initially taken over by Jose Miranda, but is now manned by Brooks Lee. In nine games Lee is just 5-for-30 with one home run, but he remains likely to stick.

Carlos Correa will forever be Minnesota’s shortstop unless he is injured. That puts the focus on second base. Luke Keaschall was recently promoted and has reached base in all six games in which he has played. Edouard Julien has been up with Minnesota for 22 games, but he is batting just .225 with a .611 OPS and owns a 20/4 K/BB.

Related: Minnesota Twins Legends in Tough Shape After Recent Health Scares

The Twins could stick Lewis at the hot corner and move Lee over to second base. He’d rotate with Keaschall, who works as a designated hitter as well. Willi Castro was recently put on the injured list with a strained oblique. While his injury is expected to be minimal, he’ll need to rotate in when healthy as well.

Minnesota having more mouths to feed on the dirt is hardly a bad thing. They just need to find a way to have more of them start producing at the plate.

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