Royce Lewis is officially back.
The Minnesota Twins wasted no time in getting Lewis back into the lineup after activated him from the 60-day IL on Monday. It was the culmination of a seven year journey that false started last year thanks to a brutal ACL injury that ended Lewis’ season just 12 games after making his Major League debut.
Exactly one year ot the day that he tore his ACL, Lewis was back with the Twins and did his own part in wasting no time in making an impact.
Before his season debut on Monday against the Houston Astros, Lewis spoke to the media about what it meant to be back with the team after such a difficult journey. In talking about his excitement, Lewis mentioned that he felt like something special was going to happen.
"It feels so surreal, right? I think something special is going to happen tonight. I couldn’t tell you what, but it just feels like it’s kind of like that time. I’m just excited,” Lewis said before Monday’s game.
He couldn’t have been more right.
Royce Lewis hits home run in first game back with Twins (Video)
Just as he predicted, something special happened. In the top of the third inning Lewis officially reintroduced himself by blasting a three-run homer over the right field fence.
Welcome back, Royce! 🚀#MNTwins | #MLB pic.twitter.com/47cJwnVXL8
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) May 29, 2023
Few things are as cathartic as what Royce Lewis did on Monday. To go through what he’s had to deal with after two ACL tears, and to come back and have this moment in his first game back is truly something special.
If it’s felt like we’ve been waiting forever to see this moment from Lewis, it’s because we have. He was drafted back in 2017 and it’s hard to believe he’s been simmer in the Twins farm system for over a half decade. He’s still only 24 years old and looks to finally be fulfilling the prophecy of becoming an important part of the Twins future core.
We’ve had to hold out for longer than anyone would have liked, but it seems like the wait was worth it.