Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis was unable to play on Thursday.
The Minnesota Twins received a minor scare at spring training on Thursday after one of their most important players was scratched from the lineup shortly before the first pitch. While the move initially raised concern, early indications suggest the team is simply being cautious as it manages a key piece of its roster heading into the 2026 season.
In a year where Minnesota is already dealing with questions across its roster, maintaining health will be critical. That is especially true for a player like infielder Royce Lewis, who has shown flashes of star‑level production but has struggled to stay on the field consistently throughout his young career.
The organization understands that keeping the former first overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft available for a full season could be one of the biggest factors in determining its success.
That context makes any injury update involving Lewis worth monitoring closely, even early in camp. “#MNTwins scratched Royce Lewis from today’s game. Per media relations: Lewis experienced tightness on right side after running the bases pregame. Scratched ‘out of abundance of caution,’” reported Dan Hayes of The Athletic.
The wording of the update is encouraging. By labeling the move precautionary, the Twins signal that this is not believed to be a serious issue. Still, given Lewis’ history, even minor setbacks tend to draw added attention. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his development, limiting his ability to build sustained momentum at the major-league level.
That is why 2025 stood out. It marked the first time Lewis was able to stay relatively healthy over a longer stretch, appearing in 106 games. While his production was modest with a .237 batting average, .283 on‑base percentage and .671 OPS along with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs, simply being available represented progress after multiple injury‑plagued seasons.
Now entering a new year under a new coaching staff and manager in Derek Shelton, the expectations are clear. Lewis is not just another contributor, he is a potential difference‑maker if he can return to his previous form. His athleticism and offensive upside give the Twins a dynamic element that few others on the roster can replicate. However, if he has another inconsistent year at the plate, he may not last long on the Twins' 40-man roster.
For Minnesota to take a step forward, they likely need more than flashes. They need consistency, and that starts with Lewis staying healthy once again.
For now, the early signs suggest this latest issue will not derail anything significant. But it serves as a reminder of how closely the Twins’ outlook is tied to Lewis’ durability as the season approaches.