As reported by the Diamondbacks Triple-A affiliate Reno Aces, Kyle Lewis will begin a rehab assignment, starting tonight.
Lewis had been on the injured list since April 8th with an undisclosed illness. Manager Torey Lovullo indicated at that time Lewis would be out a while, requiring time to build up strength and would eventually need a rehab assignment before returning to the major league club. In recent weeks Lewis has been getting at bats in extended spring training in the Arizona Complex League.
Lewis, the 2020 American League Rookie of the year with the Seattle Mariners, has also battled knee and leg injuries for the past several seasons. He was traded to the Diamondbacks early in the off season for Cooper Hummel, with the intention of being a right handed DH and part time outfielder to help balance a left hand heavy lineup.
After a very strong spring training, Lewis delivered a pinch hit two-run homer in the 8th inning of the second game of the year in Los Angeles. That blast was the game winner in a 2-1 D-backs victory. But outside of that homer, Lewis was struggling, going 3 for 18 with nine strikeouts before being put on the injured list.
It's not known at this time how long Lewis will remain with Reno. He still has two minor league options. The team has the option to activate him to the major league roster at the end of his rehab assignment, or they could option him to the Aces and have him continue to work there to make up for lost at bats. The Diamondbacks offense has been doing very well so they have the luxury to give Lewis all the time he needs.
Here is a clip of Lewis discussing how he's feeling and what he'll be working on during his time in Reno
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