Royce Lewis Faces MRI for Hamstring Strain: What This Means for His Season

Twins third baseman Royce Lewis has suffered a left hamstring strain during Friday’s game against the Astros. This injury happened in the ninth inning when Lewis hit a line drive but then limped toward first base. Reports say Lewis will have an MRI today to check how severe the injury is.

Earlier this season, Lewis dealt with a similar strain, which kept him out during Spring Training and delayed his season debut until May 5. Although he struggled at the plate, hitting just .202/.282/.303 over 110 plate appearances, there was hope as he seemed to find his rhythm recently, boasting a 1.056 OPS in his last 33 plate appearances.

Injuries have plagued Lewis throughout his career. Since being drafted fifth overall in 2017, he has played only 546 games—182 in the majors and 364 in the minors. Two significant right ACL tears have been particularly damaging, along with other issues like quad and adductor strains. Fortunately, he managed to recover from a mild hamstring strain late in the 2023 season, allowing him to perform well in the playoffs.

If the MRI reveals nothing serious, he might just need a few days of rest, especially since the Twins don’t have a game on Monday. If he does need to go on the injured list, the Twins could choose to backdate his stay. However, this decision will likely depend on whether they want to play short-handed during a crucial weekend series against the Astros.

Should Lewis go on the injured list, Brooks Lee would likely take over at third base. Other players like Willi Castro, Kody Clemens, and Jonah Bride are also options for filling the position. While the Twins have several other infielders available, the team would miss the significant potential Lewis brings to their lineup when healthy.

Injuries are a common theme in sports, and they can impact a team’s performance significantly. According to a 2022 study from the American Journal of Sports Medicine, injuries account for about 20% of a team’s performance variance over a season. With the stakes high, every player’s health is crucial for a successful run.

Keeping up with Lewis’s condition and how the Twins navigate the potential absence may shed light on how they approach their playoff aspirations and roster decisions in the coming weeks.

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