Royce Lewis Making Progress in Return from Hamstring Injury, but "Governor" Remains

[Matthew Trueblood]

The Twins' slugging infielder is trying to be smart about building back up and preparing for a rehab assignment, without giving in to impatience or frustration about the number and nature of injuries that continue to pile up.

Image courtesy of © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

By now, the Twins know they can't fully trust Royce Lewis's own accounts of the severity of his injuries, or of the indicators of healing he experiences as he tries to return therefrom. Thus, they listen to his input and opinion on his own health—but apply some external constraints on the rehab process, too.

"Anytime they let me do something, that’s always pretty good," said Lewis, who ran on the field for a second straight day Sunday. "They know, I think they said, like, I can tell them how I feel up to 60%, and after that, they know if I’m 80 percent, [I'll say] I’m ready to go. So they have to give me a governor per se, and so right now, the governor is we’re gonna take it easy and make sure we continue to progress."

Lewis said the plan is to rest one day, then try to run for three straight days, as he continues to ramp up his baseball activities.

"You know, it’s a long progression," he told reporters in the dugout at Target Field. "Running, it’s not just like ‘Run two days, and then you’re back.’ As much as I wish it was. Trust me, I would love to be playing right now. But that’s just not the case."

Lewis is grateful to be around the team during this part of the rehab process, though he won't travel with them to Kansas City for the four-game series beginning Monday. Instead, he'll continue his work in Minnesota, with the goal being to progress to baserunning and changing direction by the following week.

Swelling lingers in the area where he suffered a strained hamstring on March 16th, but Lewis downplayed that as a point of concern.

"I talk to someone like Randy Dobnak; he deals with swelling still on that ankle that he had," Lewis said. "Everyone is different, every body’s different and every injury’s different, but especially when you’re doing high-volume stuff, that swelling will come back. So it’s more about what can you tolerate, and was it down enough? And for sure, we had it down enough, and we started right around Opening Day, actually."

While Lewis reports no pain in the area of the injury since the day after he suffered it (when he wasn't even able to straighten his leg), the continued swelling could be one reason why the Twins are keeping that governor on his recovery. Another, of course, is his track record of getting hurt—and then, after returning, getting hurt again. Lewis hears the rumblings from those outside the team who would prefer to see him make changes to his playing style or his preparation, but (while he understands them in a constructive way) isn't willing to stop playing the whole game, the way he believes he's capable of playing it.

"I’ve only made it here because of who I am. I’m not gonna change who I am," he said. "If I start changing who I am, then I think as a player, I’ll start diminishing my value. And what I do is very special. I think everyone’s able to see that, and I think that’s why everyone is so mad that I keep getting hurt."

You can, however, hear the frustration taking a toll on the relentlessly positive Lewis. The online chatter finds its way to him, and he sounded a pained tone by comparing his highly kinetic, athletic game to those of players who might be more durable but lack the same potential for multidimensional impact.

"You see guys get hurt more that tend to be more athletic and explosive, because they put themselves in those positions, because they can do things that a lot of people, frankly, can’t do," he said. "And unfortunately, I’ve joked about it, maybe I should just play more like Kyle Schwarber and be smart about it. But at the same time, if I start doing that, I’ll diminish my value. And I want to play the game and help the team win, and not worry about being hurt."

Lewis also had sharp words for those who criticize his injury problems anonymously and online.

"That’s just the world that we live in, man. People behind a screen, whether they’re in a basement, or I don’t know where they’re at, but then they’re on Twitter and they think they’re safe, but say something to someone’s face and see what happens."

Those sentiments are unsurprising, from an extraordinarily talented player and a proud professional. As he pointed out, fans don't see the hard work he puts into conditioning and treatment off the field, and they tend to make unduly ungenerous assumptions about those things. As most big-leaguers do, Lewis works hard to reduce his risk of injury by keeping himself in great shape and preparing his body for the grind of each game, as well as the long season—sometimes, two different and competing objectives.

At the same time, some of those fans might fairly observe that Schwarber has found ample ways to contribute to winning teams since changing his own style of play. When he came up as a part-time catcher and outfielder, he took the latter duties so seriously that he wrecked his knee in a collision with a teammate early in 2016. Since then (and especially since 2021), he's taken a much more cautious approach to all facets of his game, but has been a consistently superb producer at the plate.

Lewis, whose pride and dedication to the whole game includes a fierce belief in his own value as a defender and baserunner, has rated out as a merely average fielder and a below-average baserunner over the parts of three seasons he's played. Schwarber has been worse in both categories, but the increased volume (and a more consistent level of offensive production) has made him more valuable over the last three-plus seasons than Lewis has been, by almost any measurement.

"It’s hard to tell guys how to play Major League Baseball once they take the field—how to tell a guy to give a certain amount of effort, that never feels productive," said Rocco Baldelli, Thursday, with regard to players like Lewis and Byron Buxton. "Even if the message seems to be correct, it never feels good or productive to have to do that, or want to do that. The right message is almost always to go play. And they can regulate themselves better than a manager can ever tell a guy to do."

That makes Baldelli a good fit with his pupil, in Lewis. The one doesn't want to tone down his players' effort. The other wouldn't hear of doing so, anyway. As Lewis acknowledged, though, the organization is putting some safeguards in place for him, at least during the rehabilitative process. Once he takes the field again, he'll seek maximal impact. That's the best thing for all parties—as long as he can find a way to play the full-out version of the game without continuing to get hurt at such a high rate.

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[Parfigliano]

I've accepted that TC will never see him healthy for even 50 games in a row even with the occasional off day.

[Doctor Gast]

I don't put any stock in social media. Royce Lewis is a great player, I wouldn't want to change him. If he can limit his IL stints & still maintain his level of play he'll do it. I wouldn't want to change Buxton either, let them play their game & hope for the best,

[djvang]

"maybe I should just play more like Kyle Schwarber and be smart about it. But at the same time, if I start doing that, I’ll diminish my value."

 

Well, your value is nothing now because you're always hurt.

[CRF]

Royce who?

[Woof Bronzer]

My goodness are Lewis' comments alarming.  Someone in this organization needs to demonstrate leadership and have a serious conversation with Lewis.

"I’ve only made it here because of who I am. I’m not gonna change who I am," he said. "If I start changing who I am, then I think as a player, I’ll start diminishing my value. "

"Who you are" is an injured player who cannot stay on the field.

"And what I do is very special."

What you do is watch more games than you play.  So do I.  It's not special.  When you do play, you are a below-average at everything except hitting for power, and for most of last season you were terrible at that.  MLB is drowning in players whose only tool is power.  You are not special.

"Maybe I should just play more like Kyle Schwarber and be smart about it."

Sounds like a great plan.  Kyle Schwarber is infinitely more valuable than you are, because he plays.

"But at the same time, if I start doing that, I’ll diminish my value."

Your value is negative.  Not only do you not play, you take up a 40 man roster spot when you are injured, so you aren't even as valuable as an empty 40 man spot.  Last year, the team asked you to add value to the roster by playing 2nd and you declined.  

 "say something to someone’s face and see what happens."

Grow up, Royce.  You are handsomely paid to play a game, fans pay that handsome salary and they have a right to express their opinions.  You do not have a right to not be criticized.  You do not have a right to physically attack someone who criticizes you, and the lame tough guy act makes you sound ridiculous.  

Two Octobers ago I thought this guy was the franchise.  Now I don't think you can count on him for anything.  He's an afterthought.

[D.C Twins]

Swelling occurs around inflammation..... He best not return until it is gone.

His attitude and outlook are a bit concerning. I foresee more extended IL stints ahead.

Any long term extension for Royce would be malpractice. 

[Linus]

I have to say some of his comments are weird. I’m not going to criticize somebody for getting hurt - Thats just not right. But for him to call what he does as “special” I just don’t know what to say to that. He’s had a few stretches of excellent hitting. He’s been mostly poor in the field and is no longer an elite runner. He has a crap ton to prove to be a reliable major leaguer. I hope he will do it and I think he will but no way has he done it yet. I have to say I think someone needs to have a chat with the lad. 

[Parfigliano]

34 minutes ago, Linus said:

I have to say some of his comments are weird. I’m not going to criticize somebody for getting hurt - Thats just not right. But for him to call what he does as “special” I just don’t know what to say to that. He’s had a few stretches of excellent hitting. He’s been mostly poor in the field and is no longer an elite runner. He has a crap ton to prove to be a reliable major leaguer. I hope he will do it and I think he will but no way has he done it yet. I have to say I think someone needs to have a chat with the lad. 

His multi year history says he will never be reliable

[Doc Lenz]

6 hours ago, Woof Bronzer said:

My goodness are Lewis' comments alarming.  Someone in this organization needs to demonstrate leadership and have a serious conversation with Lewis.

"I’ve only made it here because of who I am. I’m not gonna change who I am," he said. "If I start changing who I am, then I think as a player, I’ll start diminishing my value. "

"Who you are" is an injured player who cannot stay on the field.

"And what I do is very special."

What you do is watch more games than you play.  So do I.  It's not special.  When you do play, you are a below-average at everything except hitting for power, and for most of last season you were terrible at that.  MLB is drowning in players whose only tool is power.  You are not special.

"Maybe I should just play more like Kyle Schwarber and be smart about it."

Sounds like a great plan.  Kyle Schwarber is infinitely more valuable than you are, because he plays.

"But at the same time, if I start doing that, I’ll diminish my value."

Your value is negative.  Not only do you not play, you take up a 40 man roster spot when you are injured, so you aren't even as valuable as an empty 40 man spot.  Last year, the team asked you to add value to the roster by playing 2nd and you declined.  

 "say something to someone’s face and see what happens."

Grow up, Royce.  You are handsomely paid to play a game, fans pay that handsome salary and they have a right to express their opinions.  You do not have a right to not be criticized.  You do not have a right to physically attack someone who criticizes you, and the lame tough guy act makes you sound ridiculous.  

Two Octobers ago I thought this guy was the franchise.  Now I don't think you can count on him for anything.  He's an afterthought.

Should have drafted Hunter Greene instead.

[Doctor Wu]

8 hours ago, Doc Lenz said:

Should have drafted Hunter Greene instead.

I've always like Lewis and have hoped he would overcome these nagging injuries and become the consistently elite player that we hoped he would be. But even a few years back, on that draft day, if it had been up to me, I would have drafted Hunter Greene with that pick too. We were sorely in need of quality pitching and to some extent we still are. Okay, Greene hasn't made an All-Star team yet, but neither has Royce. I'd still like to have that pitcher. 

[LambchoP]

He seems pretty cocky for a guy in his 20's who can't play even half a season without pulling or straining something. Don't get me wrong, Lewis can have MVP type stretches that can really help this team. I just think we have to accept him for what he is. A very good player with great power, who will most likely play 60-80 games per year.

[jmlease1]

10 hours ago, Doc Lenz said:

Should have drafted Hunter Greene instead.

20/20 hindsight.

2017 draft is an interesting one: to date, no player in the first round has put up 10 bWAR yet (though Greene is very close). No pick in the top 10 has more bWAR than Lewis except for Greene. the #3 pick has already been traded once, and the #4 pick is already out of baseball. the #5 pick had one quality season before turning back into a pumpkin, getting hurt, and getting traded. easily the most productive player in the whole draft was a 2nd round pick. It's a good reminder of just how many variables are involved in player development and what a crap shoot even a top pick is.

Royce still has tremendous talent, and it sucks that he can't stay on the field. I understand the dilemma he's got: try to ease back a little to stay healthy vs play as hard as he has his whole life. It has to be hard to make an adjustment, especially when it's something related to effort. But he needs to find a way to stay on the field. he's shown he can do special things when he's right.

It sounds like his rehab is progressing; absent a setback it sounds like we will see him in May? I doubt they'll send him out for more than a week or so on a rehab assignment. Hopefully it's beginning of May and he can get rolling again.

[Sjoski]

Said this on another post...

It time for a new nickname. 

I nominate:

Royce " Week to Weak" Lewis 

 

 

 

[djvang]

18 hours ago, Woof Bronzer said:

My goodness are Lewis' comments alarming.  Someone in this organization needs to demonstrate leadership and have a serious conversation with Lewis.

"I’ve only made it here because of who I am. I’m not gonna change who I am," he said. "If I start changing who I am, then I think as a player, I’ll start diminishing my value. "

"Who you are" is an injured player who cannot stay on the field.

"And what I do is very special."

What you do is watch more games than you play.  So do I.  It's not special.  When you do play, you are a below-average at everything except hitting for power, and for most of last season you were terrible at that.  MLB is drowning in players whose only tool is power.  You are not special.

"Maybe I should just play more like Kyle Schwarber and be smart about it."

Sounds like a great plan.  Kyle Schwarber is infinitely more valuable than you are, because he plays.

"But at the same time, if I start doing that, I’ll diminish my value."

Your value is negative.  Not only do you not play, you take up a 40 man roster spot when you are injured, so you aren't even as valuable as an empty 40 man spot.  Last year, the team asked you to add value to the roster by playing 2nd and you declined.  

 "say something to someone’s face and see what happens."

Grow up, Royce.  You are handsomely paid to play a game, fans pay that handsome salary and they have a right to express their opinions.  You do not have a right to not be criticized.  You do not have a right to physically attack someone who criticizes you, and the lame tough guy act makes you sound ridiculous.  

Two Octobers ago I thought this guy was the franchise.  Now I don't think you can count on him for anything.  He's an afterthought.

He talks like he's a long-time star. He's not. He needs to do less talking and more conditioning.

[Sjoski]

I wonder what words TK would have for Lewis?

Tom Kelly would bench a .300 hitter for not running out a ground ball.

Forget it, Lewis can't even run, and before you run you have to hit. 

[RpR]

4 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

I've always like Lewis and have hoped he would overcome these nagging injuries and become the consistently elite player that we hoped he would be. But even a few years back, on that draft day, if it had been up to me, I would have drafted Hunter Greene with that pick too. We were sorely in need of quality pitching and to some extent we still are. Okay, Greene hasn't made an All-Star team yet, but neither has Royce. I'd still like to have that pitcher. 

The was/is only elite in words in print.

He has to show he is even average.

[bean5302]

Lewis has always had a pretty extreme level of confidence, and it certainly comes across as arrogant sometimes. There's some context people might want to consider:

1. He's 25 years old. 
2. He's been ridiculed, threatened, and harassed by the nameless internet trolls. See #1.
3. He (had) elite athleticism. We're talking like 3-4 plus tools. Not sure if his run tool will ever return.
4. The guy's confidence is hanging on by a thread as far as I'm concerned. The 'ol fake it 'till you make it.

I don't like Lewis' propensity to name other players partly because it comes across as highly disrespectful, and partly because Lewis hasn't done enough to earn the right to compare himself or other players to successful guys publicly like that. When you hear interviews with MLB players, they don't talk about other guys on other teams comparing themselves or even other players to each other like that. There's no way it turns out well.

The Twins having a sit down with him on PR isn't a bad idea, and Lewis calling up Schwarber and apologizing isn't a bad idea.

[mickster]

5 hours ago, LambchoP said:

He seems pretty cocky for a guy in his 20's who can't play even half a season without pulling or straining something. Don't get me wrong, Lewis can have MVP type stretches that can really help this team. I just think we have to accept him for what he is. A very good player with great power, who will most likely play 60-80 games per year.

Best thing that can happen is gets on "fire" when he comes back and we trade him - attitude is starting to concern me as much as his hamstrings do

[Battle ur tail off]

3 hours ago, bean5302 said:

The Twins having a sit down with him on PR isn't a bad idea, and Lewis calling up Schwarber and apologizing isn't a bad idea.

You mean the team that consistently shoots themselves in the foot when talking to the media? I would say the Twins have been TERRIBLE in the PR game the last 3 years. They literally have driven fans away just by opening their mouths.

[Battle ur tail off]

I wouldn't take anything he has to say serious until he can do much of anything without getting hurt. I don't mind the cockiness. But I also don't understand how a 25 year old kid is hurt so often. Figure out how to stretch and keep yourself in shape please. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

I have no confidence that Lewis will ever stay healthy. His own history is what warrants this. This isn't  said to speak negatively about him. It's my perspective.

 

I also have no issue in him being confident in himself. That being said however. Royce has no grounds or standing to downgrade Schwarber, another player. Lewis should call Kyle up and issue a public apology  to boot. On this he was very wrong. No excuses.

[LambchoP]

He has unfortunately turned into a one dimensional player. His defense is bad, base running is bad. All he's got is his bat, meaning he might end up being an everyday DH. Even then, you still have to run the bases. If he can't do that even without getting hurt, he might best serve this team by getting traded. Maybe he comes back from the IL and goes on an absolute tear for a month. Maybe someone like the Yankees or Mets will give us a top prospect for him before he eventually gets hurt again.

[bean5302]

20 hours ago, Battle ur tail off said:

You mean the team that consistently shoots themselves in the foot when talking to the media? I would say the Twins have been TERRIBLE in the PR game the last 3 years. They literally have driven fans away just by opening their mouths.

Maybe they can have a consultant who bailed on the franchise help him out? LOL.

Wait, probably too expense. Dave Saint Peter and Joe Pohlad can coach him!