This is not the start the Minnesota Twins envisioned for their first official Twins.tv broadcast, as Royce Lewis came up limping while attempting to run out a grounder to third base in the second inning of Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox.
Royce Lewis pulled up running to first base and exited the game with what looks like a leg injury. pic.twitter.com/dgzimQfi7y
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) March 16, 2025
Lewis appeared to grab at his left hamstring, and that's especially troublesome given his penchant for lower body injuries thus far in his MLB career.
Lewis has torn his right ACL twice, and missed time last season with an adductor (groin) strain in addition to a quad strain suffered on Opening Day in Kansas City. Lewis also had a strained left hamstring in late 2023 which jeopardized his availability for the Wild Card series with Toronto, though he ultimately played.
He also dealt with an oblique issue and a head issue in 2023 after a scary collision at first base with Will Benson.
We will keep this space updated as more information becomes available, but it seems reasonable to question if Lewis will be available on Opening Day.
UPDATE: It's a left hamstring strain for Lewis, the Twins announced. This is the same problematic hamstring from the end of the 2023 season.
Royce Lewis left today's game with a left hamstring strain, Twins say.
— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) March 16, 2025
If not, it's possible Brooks Lee will shift over to third base, with second base opening up for Willi Castro, Mickey Gasper or Edouard Julien.
In short, it seems as though this will have implications on the big-league roster if Lewis is unable to suit up in St. Louis in less than two weeks.
Lewis is hitting .370/.485/.556 this spring, and it's not as though he's been overworked. He's taken just 27 plate appearances, with 10 hits (one home run and two doubles). In all, 14 Twins have taken more plate appearances this spring.