Royce Lewis Scratched with Right Side Tightness

[Cody Christie]

The Minnesota Twins made a small but notable adjustment to their spring training lineup on Thursday when Royce Lewis was scratched before first pitch. In late February, even minor changes draw attention.

According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, Lewis was removed from the lineup after experiencing tightness on his right side while running the bases during pregame work. The Twins’ media relations department labeled the move as being made out of an abundance of caution.

For an organization that has spent the winter publicly elevating Lewis, there was little incentive to push him through discomfort in a Grapefruit League game. The new regime has been intentional about its messaging, and protecting one of its most talented players in February aligns with that philosophy.

Since being hired, manager Derek Shelton has made it clear that Lewis is central to the Twins’ vision. Lewis was reportedly one of the first players Shelton sought out after taking the job. In radio interviews at the GM Meetings and Winter Meetings, Shelton did not shy away from calling Lewis a “superstar.” That is not language this organization has historically thrown around lightly.

Lewis spent the offseason working with an outside hitting coach recommended by Bobby Witt Jr., another young star who has navigated early expectations with poise. The emphasis this winter has been on simplifying Lewis’s offensive operation.

Observers this spring have noted fewer moving parts and a calmer pre-swing setup. The mechanical work has focused on getting Lewis into the best possible position before the swing even begins. The idea is repeatability. If Lewis can consistently win the pre-swing phase, the athleticism and bat speed take care of the rest.

Early returns have been encouraging. His posture looks quieter. The leg kick appears more controlled. There is less wasted motion and more direct intent. That makes Thursday’s scratch feel more like a pause than a setback.

 

Still, the Twins are well aware of Lewis’ history and the importance of availability. Even minor tightness becomes headline material when attached to a player who has battled lower-body injuries in previous seasons. Spring training is about preparation, not proof of toughness.

Behind Lewis, the depth chart at third base is serviceable but uninspiring. Ryan Kreidler offers defensive versatility and contact skills. Gio Urshela brings veteran steadiness and familiarity. Tanner Schobel represents more of a developmental option than an immediate solution. None of them carries Lewis’ upside or middle-of-the-order presence. That reality underscores why caution is the correct play.

For now, the Twins appear to be choosing patience over panic. And if Lewis is indeed the superstar Shelton believes him to be, a quiet afternoon in February will be long forgotten by the time the games start to matter.

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[Twodogs]

He will be out 3 months out and abundance of caution.  Just joking, ha ha.  But it seems like injuries continue to find him.

[JBK]

Don't these guys work out during the off season?  Tightness?  He's 26.  How are they so soft and injury prone?

[Whitey333]

Pretty typical Lewis stuff.  Great to be cautious during spring training games.  I would expect that when the season is over Lewis will have wound up playing in about 75 games.

[awmonahan]

When nit on the field, he should be on an IV drip at all times.

[Jack207]

It really is unbelievable that these athletes in their early and mid 20's have so many injuries. 

[TheLeviathan]

Not an injury yet, but this is your first of many reminders from this poster that not all human bodies are built the same.  Injuries can sometimes be luck, but far more often it's just genetics.

Athletes can take care of themselves, do everything right, train amazingly....and still have their genes fail them.  Not every body endures and withstands contact the same.

[Geno48]

Lewis either doesn’t try to stay in shape over the winter ……or doesn’t have a plan for a correct routine to improve his particular muscle issues ……..which show up every season.    Teach him how to take care of his body, and if he won’t do that ….then dump him.     It’s sad.. .he has a ton of talent.    

 

 

 

[Patzky]

MRI results came back negative; Lewis is not in lineup against NYY today but is considered day-to-day.

[USAFChief]

On 2/27/2026 at 8:04 AM, TheLeviathan said:

Not an injury yet, but this is your first of many reminders from this poster that not all human bodies are built the same.  Injuries can sometimes be luck, but far more often it's just genetics.

Athletes can take care of themselves, do everything right, train amazingly....and still have their genes fail them.  Not every body endures and withstands contact the same.

Contact?

With what? His jock strap?

[jctwins]

On 2/27/2026 at 7:09 AM, JBK said:

Don't these guys work out during the off season?  Tightness?  He's 26.  How are they so soft and injury prone?

Some would say they work out too much. Lewis has been accused of working out for bulk vs. for health & fitness, too.

 

 

[Parfigliano]

2 minutes ago, jctwins said:

Some would say they work out too much. Lewis has been accused of working out for bulk vs. for health & fitness, too.

 

 

Maybe Royce thinks he will be playing CB instead of 3B.

[stringer bell]

The Twins' website says that Lewis took batting practice and expects to play on Tuesday (Monday is a day off). There is absolutely no point in pushing anything in the last week of February. Spring Training will be more disjointed this year due to the WBC and Opening Day is just over three weeks away. Starting on Tuesday, it might be important to pay attention to how players are doing.

[Patzky]

Royce is back in the lineup and leading off Tuesday March 3rd v. Tampa

[Doctor Wu]

Let's just hope that he doesn't come down with bilateral leg weakness.