MINNEAPOLIS – Royce Lewis isn’t just working on his swing at Triple-A St. Paul. He’s working out at different positions.
Lewis, optioned in mid-May after a deep slump, did pregame work at first base on Tuesday and started at second base for the Saints in their Wednesday afternoon game against Louisville. He’s been absolutely scorching at the plate since the demotion.
“I think it’s very important for all of our players, whether they’re here or in the Minor Leagues… it’s important for us organizationally that guys play multiple positions,” manager Derek Shelton said. “There’s very few guys that we feel are going to be locked into one spot. … We will continue to explore not only with players in the Minor Leagues in Royce’s case or players at the Major League level at other positions.”
The Twins explored a move of Lewis to second base in 2024 but never fully followed through on it. But it appears that third base, Lewis’ primary position in the Major Leagues, will not be available for him to reoccupy when and if he returns to the Twins. Brooks Lee moved from short to third after Lewis was optioned, and there is no indication that the club intends to move him back.
That means that whenever Lewis returns, he will likely either have to share time at third or play other positions.
“When we made the decision we did to send Royce down and give him that reset, (Shelton) wanted to have the conversation with Brooks to do everything we thought was going to be to put ourselves in the best position for this next stretch with that roster configuration, but I think we all know that these things are really fluid,” general manager Jeremy Zoll said.
There may well be opportunity at first base, and potentially sometimes at second as well. Kody Clemens has been a valuable and versatile player who has handled himself well at first, but he can play a wide variety of spots – including center field. The Twins have made it clear they prefer Josh Bell to serve as designated hitter rather than play first. And Victor Caratini’s time at first has basically ended for now, with him serving as the primary catcher following the injury to Ryan Jeffers. Meanwhile, primary second baseman Luke Keaschall has also been getting some work at first, indicating both that there could be an opportunity for Lewis at second and that the Twins see chances to get a right-handed bat into the lineup sometimes at first.
Sands on the way back
Cole Sands made a successful rehabilitation appearance for St. Paul on Tuesday, and he may not need many more before he’s back in the Major League bullpen. Sands pitched a perfect fifth inning, getting a lineout, groundout, and strikeout on 13 pitches. His fastball averaged 94 miles per hour, and he threw his cutter, splitter, and curve as well.
“Felt pretty good with everything,” Sands said. “I felt like I executed pretty much every pitch. I think there is still a little bit more in the tank. From where we were at yesterday, yeah, I felt pretty good.”
He will likely make an additional rehab appearance for St. Paul on Friday, after which it’s possible he could be activated. It’s also possible he could pitch once more for St. Paul after that, but it seems likely he could return to the roster for the Twins’ upcoming trip to Detroit.
Twins tidbits
Mick Abel came through his bullpen session on Tuesday well and remains on track to pitch live batting practice on Thursday. After that, he could move on to a Minor League rehabilitation assignment. Abel is recuperating from right elbow inflammation.
Thursday’s starter for the series opener against the Royals remains TBD, though rookie Mike Paredes would seem to be a candidate.
Kaelen Culpepper, the Twins’ No. 2 prospect and No. 38 on the MLB Pipeline Top 100, hit his 13th home run of the season on Tuesday. It was his fourth homer over a nine-game hitting streak.