Royce Lewis Injury Update Reveals Trouble on Opening Day for Twins

On Sunday afternoon at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, the Minnesota Twins baseball world stood still, yet again, when once-blossoming star third baseman Royce Lewis wrapped a grounder down the third base line and pulled up lame halfway to first base. Lewis exited the game under his own power but was flanked by manager Rocco Baldelli and trainer Nick Paparesta.

Here’s the video of Lewis’ injury. pic.twitter.com/jn0rhlRixs

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 16, 2025

As we have seen in recent seasons, the Minnesota Twins go as Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, and Byron Buxton go. Since those three joined the same roster, they have gone as their health has, which has led to a rocky three seasons with one very high peak and two devastatingly low valleys.

Royce Lewis to miss Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins

And now here we are again, just over a week out from the start of the MLB regular season, and it’s being reported that an MRI on the hamstring injury he suffered Sunday revealed it as a “moderate” strain, whatever that means. What we do know is that he’s likely to miss Opening Day.

“The Twins third baseman has a moderate sprain of his left hamstring, an MRI taken Monday morning confirmed, and the Twins have ruled him out for the March 27 season opener in St. Louis.”

Star Tribune

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Despite this being Royce Lewis’ fourth big league season, he has played on Opening Day just a single time. His injury history is well documented, and the soon-to-be 26-year-old continues to be plagued by them. When healthy, he has shown an ability to be one of the best on the planet.

Optimism surrounding Lewis’ latest injury…?

After a pair of Opening Day hits last year, one of which left the yard, Lewis suffered a quad injury in game 1 of 162 that kept him out of the Minnesota Twins 2024 starting lineup until June 4. This time around, Lewis told the Star Tribune’s Phil Miller that this injury is “not even close” to as serious. In the end, time will tell whether or not that is true.

Last year Lewis tumbled down the stretch and ultimately finished with a .233/.295/.452 slash line. That said, he has hit 31 homers in his last 140 big league games and remains a legitimate star. The prospect luster may have worn off, and he certainly hasn’t distanced himself from the health concerns.

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There’s a talent so much more significant than a prolific grand slam hitter. The Twins need him to be a middle-of-the-lineup constant. Lewis being off the roster opens a spot for Brooks Lee, but no one would love more than for him to miss the minimum.