The Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis was pulled out Friday night in Houston after legging out a ninth-inning single, and the clubhouse exhaled with a familiar dread. Lewis, who had already missed the first 35 games of the season with a hamstring strain in the same leg, is now dealing with another strain to his hamstring — and possibly another lengthy absence.
Manager Rocco Baldelli tried to keep things vague, saying the team would evaluate Lewis the next day. But anyone who’s followed this saga knows how this script plays out. When Royce Lewis gets hurt — and he always gets hurt — it usually means weeks or months, not days.
From Cornerstone to Caution Sign
Lewis is the guy Minnesota once envisioned as the face of the franchise. The No. 1 overall pick in 2017, he brought electric tools, big-league charisma, and star upside. And he’s flashed it, too — in between all the time on the shelf. But it’s becoming impossible to ignore the truth: Lewis might be made of glass.
Let’s run the list: Two ACL tears in the same knee (2021, 2022). A quad strain. A groin injury. An oblique issue. Multiple hamstring strains. In total, he’s appeared in just 182 games across four seasons. Now, with 2025 only halfway done, he’s already back on the IL.
This isn’t a one-time setback. It’s a chronic problem. And it’s one the Twins have danced around for too long.
The Reality Minnesota Doesn’t Want To Face
Lewis isn’t just unlucky. He’s unreliable. And the question isn’t whether the Twins can build around him — it’s whether they should.
Yes, the talent is still there. Yes, he hit 15 home runs with a .921 OPS in just 58 games in 2023. But what good is that production if it’s wrapped in bubble wrap and missing for half the season?
This was supposed to be the year Lewis turned the corner. He had his first full, healthy offseason. He was finally ready to play a full season. Instead, he got hurt in spring training. And now again in mid-June.
The Twins are already down badly, having lost 11 of their last 20. Their rotation has been battered. The bullpen’s leaking. And now their most dynamic offensive talent is once again unavailable, with no return timeline in sight.
The Contingency Plan — And the Long-Term Decision
Minnesota isn’t without options. Jose Miranda is a capable fill-in at third base. Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien offer flexibility. Willi Castro’s utility skills keep the lineup afloat. But nobody replaces what Lewis is supposed to be.
At some point, the Twins have to stop betting on “what if” and start building around “what is.” Lewis might still be the future, but he might also be a permanent question mark. And in a league where availability is often the best ability, Minnesota may not be able to afford to wait anymore.
Royce Lewis is a star — when he plays. But if he keeps breaking down, the Twins might have no choice but to stop pretending he’s their franchise cornerstone.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Twins Fan Favorite Exposed As Unreliable Injury Liability appeared first on Heavy Sports.