Royce Lewis Returns to Action with the Twins after Injury
The Minnesota Twins have activated third baseman Royce Lewis from the injured list this Tuesday, after a 15-game absence due to a recurrence of the hamstring injury that delayed his debut this season. Lewis rejoined the Twins for the start of a three-game series in Miami. He suffered the injury to his left hamstring while running to first base in the ninth inning of a game on June 13. This injury was less serious than the one suffered at the end of the preseason, which kept him out of action for seven weeks and cost him the first 35 games of the season. During his three-game rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul, Lewis went 0-for-8 with a walk. Since his debut in the Major Leagues in 2022, Lewis has participated in only 182 regular season games. This year, disruptions seem to have affected his performance. In 30 games this season, Lewis is batting .202 with an OPS of .585 and two home runs. He had a 32-at-bat hitless streak from May 19 to June 3.However, just before his latest setback, Lewis had found a good rhythm, batting 20-9 with a home run and four RBIs in his last six games. The Twins have an 18-12 record in games Lewis has played this season, despite his struggles at the plate, and 22-32 without him.
The first overall pick of the 2017 draft was limited to 82 games last season due to a serious quadriceps injury suffered while running the bases in the opening game and, subsequently, by a groin injury. The previous two years, Lewis was limited by recovery from consecutive ACL surgeries.
