Twins' Royce Lewis gives injury update: 'Really close' to return

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis walked into the dugout at Target Field on Wednesday with a smile on his face as he prepared to update the media on his injured left hamstring.

"We're ahead of what people could have even thought, which is great," Lewis said. "It feels like we're getting close. If you see me sliding, we're doing something. If you're not sliding, you may say, 'Oh we have two more weeks.' We're really close and I'm excited."

Sliding was part of the running regimen for Lewis before the Twins continued their three-game series with the Chicago White Sox. The 25-year-old Lewis participated in various scenarios on the bases during pregame activities, including running first to third with a slide at the end.

It's expected that Lewis will be sent on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment soon, although the date has not been finalized.

"I don't know the whole plan, but I'm just excited that it is all going really well," Lewis said. "Unfortunately, I've been through this enough where I know you have to check off some things like base running and sliding and doing all that before you get into games."

Lewis has battled injuries throughout his career, logging just 152 games in the previous three seasons. During that stretch, he has endured injuries to his right quadriceps, right knee and now left hamstring.

He departed a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox on March 16 with what was later diagnosed as a left hamstring strain after running up the first base line to try to beat out an infield grounder. He has not seen the field for the Twins since then, missing the season opener for the second time in the last three years.

However, Lewis believes the time is coming soon for him to make his 2025 debut. That would be a boost for the Twins, who have struggled to start the season with an 8-15 mark before Wednesday's game.

"It's always a good sign because it means I am close," Lewis said of his running and sliding activity on Wednesday. "Hopefully I get some good news here shortly about heading out and getting in some games somewhere."