Minnesota Twins Calling Royce Lewis Back Up

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Royce Lewis - Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Twins have a quick turnaround today, after posting their first win in three games on Friday night against the Kansas City Royals. As has been the case for most of the season, last night’s 5-3 win didn’t come without an injury sacrifice for the baseball gods..

In the third inning, superstar Byron Buxton topped off a spectacular grab out in center field with an ugly crash into the center field wall, jamming his right shoulder and forcing manager Derek Shelton to remove him from the game.

Buck will be re-evaluated Friday morning, but did not get an MRI on the injury after the game. He’s doubtful to play Saturday, Shelton noted after the game, meaning the Minnesota Twins needed some more pop in their lineup.

Minnesota Twins recall Royce Lewis

So, after two weeks at Triple A St. Paul — where he hit an absurd .333 with a 1.303 OPS, 10 HR and 14 extra base hits in just 15 games with the Saints, Royce Lewis is coming back up to the big leagues. The Twins made his recall official just after 9 a.m. CDT.

To make room for Royce, Minnesota is NOT putting Byron Buxton on the injured list. Instead, they’ve finally DFA’d James Outman, who will hit the waiver wire after batting .156 with a .479 OPS in 64 at bats as a 2026 MN Twin.

Where Royce Lewis will play for the Minnesota Twins is still TBD, but that will be released in short order, at least for today’s game. He has been taking a lot of reps and putting in tons of work across the river, at second and first base, after Brooks Lee was moved full-time to third base.

Real test for Lewis begins now

Before we all get ahead of ourselves, following two weeks of a hot bat in the minors, let’s not forget about the MLB struggles that got Royce demoted in the first place. It wasn’t that long ago Lewis was carrying numbers with the Twins that looked eerily similar to what James Outman just got cut for.

When Royce Lewis comes to bat for the first time on Saturday, Twins.TV will probably choose to display his recent numbers with the Saints (like we did above). But if they went with his 2026 MLB slash line, it would show .163/.261/.539 (.539 OPS). Not ideal.

It’s possible all the newly-turned 27-year-old needed was some confidence building time in St. Paul to get right. And while everyone should be exciting to see Lewis return — especially knowing what he can do for this lineup when right — minor league success means nothing until he proves it will transfer up to the big leagues.

And that test starts today.

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