Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis was removed from Sunday’s spring training game against the Boston Red Sox after straining his left hamstring while running out a ground ball.
On the second-inning play, Lewis was about halfway to first base when he grabbed the back of his left leg and hobbled the rest of the way. After a brief discussion with manager Rocco Baldelli and head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta, the 25-year-old slugger walked off the field under his own power.
The Twins start their season in St. Louis on March 27, less than two weeks away.
Royce Lewis pulled up running to first base and exited the game with what looks like a leg injury.
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— Aaron Gleeman (@aarongleeman.bsky.social) March 16, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Jose Miranda, Willi Castro and Brooks Lee are candidates to replace Lewis at third base. Miranda started a team-high 74 games at third base last year, filling in after Lewis suffered a right quadriceps strain on Opening Day.
This is the latest in a long line of injuries for Lewis, who has played just 152 games in three seasons with the Twins. He sustained back-to-back torn ACLs in 2021 and 2022, and has also required injured list stints during the past two seasons for adductor, quadriceps, hamstring and oblique injuries.
Lewis played a career-high 82 games in 2024 and finished the season on the active roster, but slumped badly after returning from a right adductor strain in late July, hitting .207 with six homers and a .620 OPS in his final 58 games.
Lewis was having an encouraging spring before Sunday’s injury, batting .346 with more walks than strikeouts in 12 games.
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(Photo: Adam Bettcher / Getty Images)
