DETROIT — Royce Lewis' triumphant return to the big leagues didn't even last a full game.
The top prospect made his MLB debut several weeks ago, replacing injured shortstop Carlos Correa. He thrilled in those 11 games, hitting .308 before dropping back down to Class AAA. But the Twins knew he wouldn't stay down for long and made sure to move him around the field in those minor league games so he could be comfortable at other positions.
That master plan came to fruition Sunday, with Lewis called up to play center field and likely move around during the current road trip to Detroit and Toronto.
But in the third inning of that game, Lewis went flying into the wall to make a catch. He snagged the ball, but the left side of his body crashed into the barrier before he fell to the ground in a heap. The 22-year-old was visibly in pain, and while he finished out that half-inning, he didn't return for the rest of the game.
The Twins have diagnosed it as a right knee bone bruise, potentially from his knees knocking together upon impact or how he landed. Lewis only just returned to baseball full time this spring training after tearing his right ACL during the offseason in February 2021.
He went on the 10-day injured list but will have more scans to confirm the diagnosis isn't more serious.
"It's a wrench," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "We've dealt with several wrenches recently, and it feels like when things come, they come in bunches."
Baldelli added while the injury was unlucky since it happened in Lewis' first MLB game in center field, he won't hesitate to play Lewis there again once he's healed.