Frustrated Royce Lewis Delivers Candid Quote After Return From Yet Another Injury
“Feels like these injury bugs just won’t let go of one guy,” Royce Lewis said Tuesday. “Hopefully I’ve shaken mine off.”
The 25-year-old Twins infielder made his long-awaited season debut Tuesday night after missing the first 35 games with a left hamstring strain suffered while sprinting to first base during spring training. Batting fifth as Minnesota’s designated hitter against the Orioles, Lewis went hitless in four at-bats, though the Twins cruised to a 9-1 win behind a dominant outing from Pablo López and a three-hit, home-run performance from Carlos Correa.
Tuesday marked yet another comeback for Lewis, who appeared in just 82 games last year due to a significant quad strain on Opening Day and a later groin injury. That followed two consecutive seasons lost to ACL surgeries. His injury-plagued history makes his return especially crucial for a Twins team hoping to contend in October.
When healthy, Lewis has been a force, slashing .266/.325/.494 with 33 home runs and 104 RBIs in 609 career plate appearances. But staying on the field has been the challenge. He struggled during his rehab stint with Triple-A St. Paul, going just 4-for-23, and his post-IL performance late last season (.207/.270/.350, 56 strikeouts in 203 at-bats) raised concerns. Still, given his previous flashes of MVP-level production, there’s little doubt that a healthy Lewis can significantly boost the Twins’ postseason hopes.
The Twins and Orioles continue their series Wednesday night at Target Field, with Minnesota sending 24-year-old Simeon Woods Richardson to the mound against Baltimore’s 41-year-old veteran Charlie Morton.
