The Twins are set to welcome back two key players to their lineup after activating third baseman Royce Lewis and utilityman Willi Castro from the 10-day injured list on Monday. To make room for Castro and Lewis on the 26-man roster, the Twins optioned Mickey Gasper and Edouard Julien to Triple-A St. Paul.
Getting Lewis’ bat back could be huge for the 15-20 Twins, who rank 23rd in MLB with 3.8 runs scored per game and have hit only 28 homers on the year. The 25-year-old opened the season on the injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Injuries are nothing new for Lewis, who has dealt with a barrage of health woes since being selected first overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. The third baseman has played just 152 games at the Major League level in his career across three seasons, though he has flashed All-Star potential at times.
The right-handed slugger was key to the Twins’ American League Central-winning team in 2023, producing 15 homers with 52 RBIs and a .921 OPS over 58 games. He also stepped up in the playoffs that year, helping Minnesota snap an 18-game postseason losing streak.
A right quad strain suffered on Opening Day in 2024 cost Lewis more than three months, and he also missed more than three weeks with a right adductor strain. However, he mashed his way to a 1.021 OPS with 15 homers over his first 40 games before slumping to the tune of a .493 OPS in his final 42 games.
With Lewis back, it’s possible the Twins will give youngster Brooks Lee more playing time at second base to keep his bat in the lineup. Lee has been solid since returning from his own IL stint on April 13, hitting .254 with two homers and a .716 OPS in 20 games, including 14 starts at the hot corner.
Castro, who has been out since mid-April with a right oblique strain, could also factor into the mix at second base while returning to his customary utility role. The seven-year veteran had a .655 OPS in 18 games before his injury, but he was much better than that across 2023-24 (.729 OPS).
Castro, 28, earned his first All-Star selection a year ago, producing career highs in homers (12) and RBIs (60) while making at least 27 defensive appearances at five different positions (2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF).