This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Lewis (side) is starting at third base and batting leadoff in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
The third baseman has been sidelined the past few days after some side tightness cropped up last week, but he's ready to rejoin the lineup after having an MRI come back clean and going through live batting practice Sunday. Given Lewis' extensive injury history, fantasy managers should still keep on eye on his health status throughout spring training.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Royce Lewis: Should return this week
Rotowire
Lewis (side) participated in a session of live batting practice Sunday and could rejoin Minnesota's Grapefruit League lineup as early as Tuesday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.
The 26-year-old was scratched from the lineup last Thursday due to right side tightness, but he had an MRI come back negative and resumed baseball activities over the weekend. Lewis had injury troubles once again in 2025 with hamstring and quadriceps issues, but he still played in a career-high 106 games. The side injury appears to be a minor concern, but any spring health problems are worth keeping an eye on given Lewis' injury history.
Twins' Royce Lewis: MRI on side comes back negative
Rotowire
An MRI on Lewis' right side came back negative, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Lewis had to be scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Pirates due to tightness in his side, but he has managed to sidestep a serious injury. The Twins are likely to keep Lewis out of game action for at least a few days to be safe, but he should be considered day-to-day.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Royce Lewis: Scratched with right side tightness
Rotowire
Lewis was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Pirates with tightness in his right side, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Lewis suffered the injury while running the bases during pregame warmups. He was scratched "out of abundance of caution," according to the team. Consider Lewis day-to-day for now, but it's yet another injury for the third baseman. Lewis appeared in a career-high 106 regular-season games last season, slashing a disappointing .237/.283/.388 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, 12 stolen bases and a 25:80 BB:K across 403 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Royce Lewis: Works with personal hitting coach
Rotowire
Lewis worked with a personal hitting coach, Jeremy Isenhower, this offseason on simplifying his pre-pitch mechanics, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.
Isenhower was recommended to Lewis by Bobby Witt and former teammate Jorge Polanco, and Lewis made six different trips to Houston this offseason in order to work with Isenhower. The hope is that, by quieting his pre-pitch movement, Lewis should be able to improve his pitch recognition, swing decisions and quality of contact. After slashing .307/.364/.549 over 70 games in his first two major-league seasons, Lewis has hit a disappointing .235/.288/.416 in 188 contests since the start of the 2024 campaign. He'll be Minnesota's everyday third baseman again in 2026.
The Twins and Lewis avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.85 million contract Thursday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.
Lewis played in a career-high 106 games in 2025 but regressed offensively, slashing only .237/.283/.388with 13 home runs and 12 stolen bases. The 26-year-old remains locked in as the Twins' everyday third baseman heading into the 2026 campaign.
Lewis went 1-for-1 with a three-run homer in Sunday's win over Cleveland.
Lewis did not crack the starting lineup Sunday but put the game out of reach with his three-run shot in the seventh inning. It was his first home run since Sep. 8 when he went deep twice against the Angels. He's now slashing .241/.289/.399 with 30 extra-base hits and 51 RBI through 380 plate appearances.
8:20
10:07
9:29
10:06
10:43
1:27
8:58
1:46
1:29
1:36
9:08
9:42
9:02
0:46
1:15
0:31
1:17
1:32
1:00
