Royce Lewis 'not very optimistic' about groin injury

Lewis exited Tuesday night's game with 'left groin soreness.'

Minnesota Twins third base Royce Lewis (23) scores in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on June 27, 2024. / Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Twins third baseman Royce Lewis told reporters he's "probably not very optimistic" about his left groin injury that forced him to exit Tuesday night's 5-3 win over the Detroit Tigers at Target Field in Minneapolis.

"This is out of my control," Lewis said. "I'm probably not very optimistic, to be honest with you. I'm praying, but it's usually just always horrible news."

"This is out of my control... I'm probably not that optimistic, to be honest with you." #MNTwins

– Royce Lewis pic.twitter.com/98eCzNbU0Q

— Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) July 3, 2024

Lewis exited Tuesday night's game due to what the team is calling left groin soreness. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli didn't immediately have an update on Lewis' injury, and Lewis might be more worried about the possibility of sitting or an injured list stint than any sort of long-term injury.

Royce Lewis said he's not optimistic. But this needs to be taken with a grain of salt. He's not feeling that way because he's worried about this being a devastating, long-term injury. Instead, this is concern about if the #MNTwins will place him on the injured list.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 3, 2024

Lewis suffered a quad injury on Opening Day that resulted in him missing 58 games. The Twins were very cautious with that injury, even once Lewis felt like he was ready to begin making a return. Lewis expressed some frustration at the time about the length of the rehab process.

Whether another injured list stint is upcoming will remain to be seen. Lewis will certainly want to stay on the field if he feels as though he's able, but it will ultimately depend on what the Twins training staff determines is the best course of action. That should be decided in the next couple days.

If Lewis does end up on the injured list, it's possible that Brooks Lee will be called up from Triple-A St. Paul. Lee has been on fire in the 20 games he's played for the Saints, hitting .329 with a .394 on-base percentage and a 1.029 OPS. He's hit seven homers and has 21 RBIs with St. Paul. On Tuesday, Lee was named to the MLB Futures Game and the skills competition that will happen during All-Star week in Arlington, Texas later this month.

Either way, it's nearly impossible to replicate the kind of production Lewis has brought to the major league level. In 24 games this season, Lewis is hitting .299 with 10 homers and 18 RBIs.