BOSTON — At long, long last, it appears it is finally Royce Lewis time.
The Twins left Boston with a pair of big wins and on Tuesday, they appear poised to welcome back a couple big contributors. When the Twins begin their series against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday at Target Field, it seems as if they’ll have both Lewis and Willi Castro back after stints on the injured list.
The Twins have yet to announce the moves.
Lewis has yet to play a game for the Twins this season since spraining his hamstring running to first base in mid-March. Castro has been out since April 16 with an oblique strain. The Twins had initially hoped he could miss an injured list stint entirely, holding him out for a week before finally placing him on the IL. It appears likely that he will return without a rehab assignment.
Lewis, meanwhile, has been on rehab with the Triple-A Saints since April 25 and has played in six games. While the Twins had hoped to have him play in two full games in the field on consecutive days, rain on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio dashed that plan. Lewis played nine innings at third on Sunday and went 1 for 5 at the plate with a run scored.
How the Twins allocate playing time once they return will be something to watch.
Castro had primarily been playing second base before his injury, though can also see some time at third, short or in the outfield. The Twins have a number of second base options on the roster currently — including Edouard Julien and Mickey Gasper, both of whom have options and could potentially be the potential corresponding moves.
Brooks Lee, who has primarily been playing third base of late, can slot over there at second, as well, while also getting some playing time at third and even short. And Lewis will go back to third but could draw some at-bats at DH, as well.
Correa’s grab saves the day
As he raced back to track Jarren Duran’s pop up, Carlos Correa initially didn’t think he had a chance at it. The Gold Glover ran towards the outfield, his back fully turned away from the infield, and stuck out his glove, making a Willie Mays-style catch.
With a pair of runners in scoring position, the difference between catching it and having it drop would have been a one-run or three-run deficit. The Twins, at the time, were trailing 2-1 in the second inning and went on to beat the Red Sox 5-4.
“Honestly off the bat, I didn’t think it was possible I’m going to get it, but I just started running and then when I looked up, I felt like I was getting closer and closer,” Correa said. “I stretched my arm as far as possible and the ball landed there.”
The play, starter Chris Paddack said, was the highlight of the game for him, and helped keep the Red Sox lead in check long enough for the Twins to storm back late.
Briefly
The Twins have Monday off before welcoming the Baltimore Orioles to Target Field on Tuesday for a three-game set. Pablo López will take the ball opposed by Cade Povich, whom the Twins traded to Baltimore in a 2022 deal for reliever Jorge López.
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