Twins' Royce Lewis Begins Rehab Assignment After Hamstring Strain

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul after recovering from a left hamstring strain that sidelined him since mid-June. Lewis was cleared to start the rehab stint after successfully running the bases without issues, and he is expected to serve as the designated hitter in upcoming minor league games. Despite being eligible to return to the Twins roster at any time, the team is cautious, wanting to ensure he is fully recovered before reactivation. Lewis has struggled offensively this season, batting just .202 with a .585 OPS, but showed improvement prior to his injury. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and team president Derek Falvey expressed optimism about Lewis's progress and resilience. The rehab assignment is considered a positive step toward bolstering the Twins' lineup amid a challenging season marked by injuries to key players.