The Minnesota Twins put oft-injured infielder Royce Lewis on the injured record with what the membership referred to as “a extreme quad pressure” on Saturday, and the reigning AL Central champions are making ready to be with out him for greater than a month.
Lewis strained his proper quad whereas rounding the bases Thursday on Opening Day in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Royals. It’s the fifth time the 2017 No. 1 draft decide has been placed on the IL in simply over two seasons as a giant leaguer, which incorporates two torn ACLs in his proper knee, an indirect harm and a hamstring harm.
“It is important sufficient he will have some important time down,” mentioned Derek Falvey, the Twins’ president of baseball operations. “It is troublesome, , not simply due to Recreation 1, however due to how a lot work he is put in, and the way a lot effort and time. His offseason was nice. I’ve by no means seen him in pretty much as good of form as he is in proper now.
“So, this stuff occur,” Falvey mentioned, “in all sports activities. And it is actually unlucky. He ready higher than anyone.”
The 24-year-old Lewis, who had raised hopes in Minnesota of a breakthrough when he made it by spring coaching with none issues, has been distinctive when he has been wholesome. He is hit .313 with 18 homers and 58 RBIs in simply 71 video games.
Actually, Lewis homered in his first at-bat within the Twins’ 4-2 win over the Royals on Thursday. He singled once more within the third inning, and he was rounding second on a double by Carlos Correa when he got here up hobbling.
“I imply, you are feeling horrible for Royce having to cope with this after every thing else he is gone by. You’re feeling unhealthy for the group as properly,” Twins supervisor Rocco Baldelli mentioned. “You recognize, we bought three innings out of him. And it was a reasonably superb contribution. I imply, he was one of many greatest causes we win the sport, after which we discover out we’ll lose him for some time.”
The Twins referred to as up Austin Martin, one in every of their high prospects, to supply some depth. However the fast plan was to make use of Willi Castro, who was within the lineup Saturday, and Kyle Farmer to deal with third base duties.
“I am able to go,” Martin mentioned. “I am wanting ahead to, , the day I can get to the touch the sphere and play. And like I’ve mentioned, the purpose right here is to simply attempt to assist this group win as many video games as it may.”
Martin has overcome a sequence of accidents, too. He is had ligament accidents in every of his elbows the previous two seasons.
“I have never completed an excessive amount of reflection,” mentioned Martin, who hit .263 with six homers and 28 RBIs whereas spending most of final season at Triple-A St. Paul. “Simply sort of been within the second, making an attempt to stick with that mindset on this.”
In different information, the Twins introduced that right-hander Anthony DeSclafani underwent surgical procedure to restore the flexor tendon in his forearm and would miss all the season. DeSclafani was anticipated to fill out the again of the rotation earlier than he was identified with a proper elbow pressure in March and positioned on the 60-day IL earlier than the season.
Falvey mentioned that the restoration time for related procedures is about 13 months.
“It is not a Tommy John, so it is somewhat totally different sort of return,” Falvey mentioned. “I feel when he went there, we knew that was in consideration, and I feel numerous the dialog was round, is it the ligament or the UCL [in the elbow]. It ended up being the flexor tendon that wanted to be repaired.”
Falvey mentioned the Twins would take a look at inside choices to fill out his spot within the rotation.
“I really feel like we have got a gaggle that we’ll rely on,” he mentioned, “however we’ll at all times hold a watch open for brand new choices, too.”
The Twins additionally signed right-hander Diego Castillo to a minor league contract on Saturday.
